Controlled substances: prescriptions.

Existing law classifies certain controlled substances into designated schedules. Existing law requires prescription forms for controlled substance prescriptions to be obtained from security printers approved by the department, as specified. Existing law requires those prescription forms to be printed with specified features, including a uniquely serialized number. This bill would delay the requirement for those prescription forms to include a uniquely serialized number until a date determined by the Department of Justice that is no later than January 1, 2020. The bill would require, among other things, the serialized number to be utilizable as a barcode that may be scanned by dispensers. The bill would additionally make any prescription written on a prescription form that was otherwise valid prior to January 1, 2019, but that does not include a uniquely serialized number, or any prescription written on a form approved by the Department of Justice as of January 1, 2019, a valid prescription that may be filled, compounded, or dispensed until January 1, 2021. The bill would authorize the Department of Justice to extend this time period for a period no longer than an additional 6 months, if there is an inadequate availability of compliant prescription forms. This bill would declare that it is to take effect immediately as an urgency statute.