Which schedule of controlled substances must be queried in the Vermont Prescription Monitoring System (VPMS)?

The Vermont Prescription Monitoring System (VPMS) is designed to track the prescribing and dispensing of controlled substances to help prevent misuse and ensure patient safety. In Vermont, it is mandated that practitioners must query the VPMS for Schedule II, III, and IV controlled substances before prescribing these medications to a patient.

Schedule II substances are recognized for their high potential for abuse and dependence, while Schedule III and IV substances also have a potential for abuse but to a lesser degree. By requiring a check of these schedules, the VPMS aims to monitor the dispensing patterns and ensure that patients are not receiving these medications from multiple sources, thus helping to combat prescription drug abuse.

This practice is aligned with the governing regulations aimed at safeguarding public health while allowing for the legitimate use of necessary medications. Queries for Schedule I substances, which are not legally prescribed in the same way as II, III, and IV substances, are not required in this context, and this is why they are not included in the correct answer selection.