65-16,128. Electronic transmission of prescription orders required, when; exceptions.
(a) Every prescription order issued for a controlled substance in schedules II-V that contains an opiate, as described in the uniform controlled substances act, shall be transmitted electronically unless:
(1) Electronic prescription orders are not possible due to technological or electronic system failures;
(2) electronic prescribing is not available to the prescriber due to economic hardship or technological limitations that are not reasonably within the control of the prescriber, or other exceptional circumstances exist, as demonstrated by the prescriber;
(3) the prescription order is for a compounded preparation containing two or more components or requires information that makes electronic submission impractical, such as complicated or lengthy instructions for use;
(4) the prescription order is issued by a licensed veterinarian;
(5) the prescriber reasonably determines that it would be impractical for the patient to obtain the substances prescribed by electronic prescription in a timely manner, and such delay would adversely impact the patient's medical condition;
(6) the prescription order is issued pursuant to drug research or drug therapy protocols;
(7) the prescription order is by a prescriber who issues 50 or fewer prescription orders per year for controlled substances that contain opiates; or
(8) the United States food and drug administration requires the prescription order to contain elements that are not compatible or possible with electronic prescriptions.
(b) (1) A prescriber may request a waiver from the provisions of subsection (a) for a period not to exceed six months if such prescriber cannot comply with subsection (a) due to economic hardship, technological limitations that reasonably are not within the prescriber's control or other circumstance demonstrated by the prescriber. If a waiver is granted by the board, the prescriber may request that such waiver be renewed for a period not to exceed six months. Requests for a waiver or renewal shall be submitted to the board in such form and manner as prescribed by the board and shall include the reason for the request and any other information required by the board.
(2) If a prescriber prescribes a controlled substance by non-electronic prescription, such prescriber shall indicate the prescription is made pursuant to a waiver granted pursuant to this section. A pharmacist shall not be required to verify the validity of any waiver, either with the prescriber or the board, but may do so in accordance with K.S.A. 65-1637, and amendments thereto.
(c) The provisions of this section shall be a part of and supplemental to the pharmacy act of the state of Kansas.
(d) The provisions of this section shall take effect on and after July 1, 2021.
History: L. 2019, ch. 52, § 1; July 1.