In emergency situations, what restriction is placed on the dispensing of CIIs?

In emergency situations, the restriction on the dispensing of Schedule II controlled substances (CIIs) is that the dispensing must be limited to treating the patient during the emergency. This is grounded in regulations designed to prevent the misuse of highly regulated drugs.

In an emergency, a prescriber may verbally authorize a prescription for a CII, but it is crucial that the amount prescribed is strictly limited to what is necessary for the immediate treatment of the patient. The primary goal of this restriction is to ensure that the medication is used only for the urgent medical need and not for any ongoing treatment that could lead to potential abuse or dependency.

This framework is intended to balance the need for prompt medical care against the potential for misuse of controlled substances. Other options, such as allowing unlimited quantities or extending prescriptions unnecessarily, could lead to increased risk of abuse, which is why they do not align with the legal standards governing the dispensing of controlled substances in Delaware and other jurisdictions.