South Carolina Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination (MPJE) Practice Exam

If a prescription is received from a pharmacy that does not have a shared database, can it be transferred again within your shared database?

1. Yes, it can be transferred again

2. No, that counted as the one transfer

3. Only if approved by a supervising pharmacist

4. Transfers are not allowed at any time

The correct answer is: No, that counted as the one transfer

The assertion that the prescription can only be transferred once is accurate, particularly when considering the regulations that govern prescription transfers. In scenarios where a prescription is received from a pharmacy that operates outside of the shared database, the transfer is typically categorized as a final transaction. This means that the original dispensing pharmacy has already utilized its allowance for transfer. In the context of federal regulation and many state laws, prescriptions for controlled substances can generally only be transferred once between pharmacies that do not share a real-time online database for prescription records. After this first transfer, that prescription is no longer eligible to be transferred again, even if it is within a pharmacy network that does share a database. This maintains a clear record of the medication's dispensing history and helps prevent misuse or confusion regarding prescription validity. This understanding is crucial for pharmacists to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations while also safeguarding patient care. By recognizing that the initial transfer from a non-shared database pharmacy accounts for the last allowable transfer, pharmacists can appropriately manage subsequent requests and document accurately.