Beginning September 1, several important prescription-related functions are being transferred from the Texas Department of Public Safety to the Texas State Board of Pharmacy. The changes are the result of Senate Bill 195 passed in 2015.
Official Prescription Forms
The Texas Prescription Program transfers to the Texas State Board of Pharmacy on September 1. This includes the oversight and processing of the official prescription pads for Schedule II prescription forms.
The Texas Department of Public Safety will no longer accept orders for the official prescription pads effective August 15, 2016. However, official prescription forms issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety prior to September 1, 2016, will be considered valid prescription forms. Official prescription pad orders received after August 15, 2016, will be returned to the customers.
The Texas State Board of Pharmacy will start taking prescription pad orders on September 1, 2016. Since DPS will stop issuing prescription pads on August 15, 2016, prescribers are urged to order enough pads to cover the supply gap. See also the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Notice SB-195.
Prescription Monitoring Program
On September 1, 2016, the Texas State Board of Pharmacy's new Prescription Monitoring system will go live for prescribers. For more information about the new program, please visit the Texas State Board of Pharmacy website.