What is a requirement for controlled substance prescriptions in Vermont?

In Vermont, including the patient's date of birth on a controlled substance prescription is a requirement because it is essential for ensuring patient identification and safety. The patient's date of birth helps pharmacists verify the identity of the individual receiving the medication, especially given that many controlled substances are prescribed for specific age-related conditions or may have age-based restrictions.

Having this information on the prescription aligns with the broader goal of reducing medication errors and preventing misuse of controlled substances. Including other identifying information, such as a Social Security number, is not a standard requirement as it raises concerns about privacy and security. Similarly, although physician signatures are crucial for the validity of the prescription, they must be accompanied by other necessary information to be complete. The timeframe for filling a prescription varies depending on the specifics of the medication and circumstance, with seven days not being a universal requirement for all controlled substances.