For Prescribers

Ohio Laws and Rules

The following is a list of resources to provide Ohio prescribers with the most up-to-date information on laws and rules governing the legal distribution of dangerous drugs (i.e. prescription drugs):

• Ohio Revised Code
• Ohio Administrative Code
• Recent Rule Changes

Drug Enforcement Administration

The Drug Enforcement Administration, Office of Diversion Control, developed a number of resources on the Federal Controlled Substances Act:

• Practitioner’s Manual
• Questions & Answers
• Significant Guidance Documents

Frequently Asked Questions

For more information on a topic, click on one of the questions below or search this FAQ using the search feature at the top of this page.

Controlled Substances for Weight Reduction & Weight Management

• What are the regulations for prescribing controlled substances for weight reduction and chronic weight management?
Regulations on prescribing controlled substances used for weight reduction and weight management have been developed by the State Medical Board of Ohio. For more information on these rules, visit: https://www.med.ohio.gov/Resources/Weight-Loss-Drugs



Drug Compounding

• What are some options for obtaining non-patient specific drugs in the event of a drug shortage?
More information on obtaining non-patient specific drugs in the event of a shortage can be accessed here.


• What are the requirements for compounding drugs in Ohio?
An overview of the requirements for drug compounding can be accessed here.



Electronic Prescribing

• Can a prescriber send controlled substance prescriptions electronically to a pharmacy?
Yes. A prescriber can send controlled substance prescriptions electronically to a pharmacy. More information on prescription requirements can be accessed here.



Licensing

• When do I need to obtain a license as a terminal distributor of dangerous drugs?
In general, if you have dangerous drugs (i.e. prescription drugs) at your practice location, you would need a license as a terminal distributor of dangerous drugs (TDDD). More information on obtaining a TDDD license, including some exceptions to licensure, can be accessed here.



Medication Assisted Treatment

• Can methadone or buprenorphine be prescribed for addiction when a patient is an inpatient at a hospital?
Yes. A physician, or authorized hospital staff, may administer or dispense narcotic drugs in a hospital to maintain or detoxify a person as an incidental adjunct to medical or surgical treatment of conditions other than addiction. More information can be found here.


• Can an opioid be prescribed to a newborn whose mother was an opioid user?
Yes. The Drug Enforcement Administration has clarified the newborn has neonatal abstinence syndrome, which is not the same as being treated for narcotic addiction.



Naloxone

• Where can I find more information on naloxone prescribing?
More information, including a guidance document for prescribers, can be found on the Board’s naloxone resources page.



Ohio Automated Rx Reporting System (OARRS)

• When am I required to register and use OARRS?
Ohio law requires prescribers to request and review an OARRS report before initially prescribing or personally furnishing an opioid analgesic or a benzodiazepine. Detailed information, including exceptions to this requirement, can be accessed here.

Additionally, Ohio’s health care regulatory boards have also adopted regulations on when an OARRS report must be requested:

Medical Board Rule 4731-11-11 & 4731-11-12
Nursing Board Rule 4723-9-12
Dental Board Rule 4715-6-01



Protocols

• Am I permitted to use protocols for the initiation of dangerous drugs?
Rule 4729-5-01(L) of the Ohio Administrative Code, permits use of protocols in five specific situations:

1. Emergencies*;
2. Administration of biologicals for the purpose of preventing diseases;
3. Administration of vaccines for the purpose of preventing diseases;
4. Administration of vitamin K for the prevention of vitamin K deficient bleeding in newborns; and
5. Administration of erythromycin for prevention of ophthalmia neonatorum.

*The Board has determined that a long-term care facility’s administration of influenza antiviral treatment and chemoprophylaxis via protocol constitutes an emergency. More information on this can be accessed here.



Reporting Theft or Loss of Drugs and Prescription Drug Documents

• When am I required to report a theft or significant loss of dangerous drugs?
A theft or significant loss of dangerous drugs must be immediately reported to the Board. For more information, the Board published a guidance document that is available here.


• When am I required to report the theft or loss of prescription drug documents?
A theft or significant loss of prescription drug documents must be reported to the Board immediately upon discovery. For more information, the Board published a guidance document that is available here.