When can a Schedule II drug prescription be faxed?

A Schedule II drug prescription can be faxed under specific circumstances, primarily when there is a necessity for immediate dispensing and the original signed prescription is presented prior to dispensing to the patient. This scenario is typically applicable in situations where the patient needs the medication promptly, and the fax serves as an immediate authorization for the pharmacy to dispense the medication before the physical prescription is delivered.

In addition, when the original signed prescription is eventually presented, it must be retained by the pharmacy as part of the medication dispensing process. This ensures compliance with legal requirements regarding record-keeping for controlled substances.

The other options are not suitable because faxing is not universally allowed for all scenarios involving Schedule II prescriptions. For instance, while faxing may be permitted in specific cases (such as for inpatients), it is not a blanket rule that can be applied before any dispensing occurs or without adhering to the necessary protocols that include providing the original prescription. Thus, the most accurate statement aligns with the requirement of having the original signed prescription before dispensing when a faxed prescription is utilized.