OHIO: makes Gabapentin a controlled substance indirectly ?

Effective Dec 1, Pharmacies, Prescribers, and Wholesalers Must Report Gabapentin to Ohio Automated Rx Reporting System

http://www.natlawreview.com/article/effective-dec-1-pharmacies-prescribers-and-wholesalers-must-report-gabapentin-to

Beginning December 1, 2016, the State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy requires pharmacies, prescribers, and wholesalers to report the dispensing, personal furnishing, and wholesale sale of all products containing gabapentin (brand names: Neurontin, Gralise, Horizant) to the Ohio Automated Rx Reporting System (OARRS). Gabapentin has not been reclassified as a controlled substance, but it is being added to the Board’s list of drugs reportable to OARRS following increased reports of misuse, abuse, and concomitant abuse of gabapentin nationwide.1

No new requirement to review an OARRS report prior to dispensing gabapentin

Unlike the rules requiring pharmacists and prescribers to request and review an OARRS report prior to dispensing, prescribing, or personally furnishing controlled substances, there is no requirement to request and review an OARRS report prior to dispensing, prescribing, or personally furnishing gabapentin. Pharmacists and prescribers are expected to use professional judgment to determine the need to request an OARRS report prior to dispensing, prescribing or personally furnishing gabapentin.

Changes to prior exemptions to reporting

Pharmacies or prescribers that were previously exempt from OARRS reporting requirements because they did not dispense or personally furnish controlled substances do not need to reapply for a reporting exemption if they do not dispense or personally furnish gabapentin. However, pharmacies and prescribers that were previously exempt from OARRS reporting requirements, but do dispense or personally furnish gabapentin, must begin reporting such dispensing or personal furnishing to OARRS effective December 1, 2016.

More information on reporting to OARRS can be found in the Ohio PMP Handbook, available under the Pharmacies & Prescribers section on the OARRS website.

5 Responses

  1. I called my pharmacy (Giant Eagle Howe Road, Ohio) to see if my script for Gabapentin and Flexeril were ready. She told me that I had to wait another 4 days to fill it since they are a controlled substance. I laughed and told her I have been taking Gabapentin and Flexeril for 8 years and they are NOT a controlled substance. She said YES THEY ARE, SINCE THERE IS ABUSE OF THESE MEDICATIONS.

    Um, ok lady. Get your facts straight before talking out of your ass. I had a problem with her about 2 months ago, took a script for Opana ER 5mg and she told me I could not get it filled, as it was too soon. I asked her to check again and she told me again that it was too soon, that the script said it could not be filled until March 1st. I then dryly asked her, “Since when does March 1st come after March 7th?”

    I am taking my biz to the Walgreens down the street, I do not know how this airhead got through schooling to get her license to dispense medications. Maybe she did the teacher for her grades…

    • I am having the same problem at the moment where I went to get my MS Contin 30mg filled today and my prior authorization , which was supposed to be good for 3 months, was rejected. The pharmacy faxes my doctor and they are aware of it. So I call my insurance company to ask why it was rejected and the answer I got floored me. She stated that I need another MEQD for my MS Contin since my Gabapentin is a narcotic as well. Well, wtf?? Since when I asked and she kept repatina the same thing. I asked her why this hasn’t been brought up wh3n I got my Morphine filled last month, and the month before and then for almost a year with taking Percocet 10mg?? She kept repeating the same thing. Now, if it’s a narcotic, then how in the bloody hell is my PCP able to call my refills in? I live in PA and as far as I know Gabapentin is not a narcotic!!

  2. Nanny state. Need to cut their budget.

  3. When do we get an rx for our dinner menu and report how much toilet paper we use?

  4. everything is controlled ……

Leave a Reply to connieCancel reply

Discover more from PHARMACIST STEVE

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading