Frequently Asked Questions

A person who willfully and knowingly fails to report the dispensing of a controlled substance as required by this law commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083, F.S. Further, the department shall issue a non-disciplinary citation to any prescriber or dispenser who fails to consult the system as required by this subsection for an initial offense. Each subsequent offense is subject to disciplinary action pursuant to s. 456.073, F.S.

• The telephone number of the person for whom the prescription was written, in addition to the name, address, and date of birth the prescriber currently inputs;
• Whether the prescription is an initial prescription or a refill, and the number of refills prescribed;
• The name of the individual picking up the controlled substance prescription and the type and issuer of the identification provided; and
• The pharmacy’s DOH-issued permit number or the dispensing practitioner’s DOH-issued license number

Yes, there are two exemptions from reporting:

Controlled substances administered to patients;

• Controlled substances dispensed in the health care system of the Department of Corrections; and
• Controlled substances dispensed to patients under the age of 16 are exempt from reporting to E-FORCSE.

All controlled substances in schedules II through V must be reported to the system by the close of the next business day. If the dispenser does not dispense any controlled substances for that day, then a zero report must be submitted.

Dispensers are required to report to the PDMP each time a controlled substance is dispensed to a patient, as soon thereafter as possible, but no later than close of business the day after the prescription is dispensed unless an extension or exemption is approved by the Department of Health.

A dispensing practitioner is a practitioner authorized by law to prescribe drugs who may dispense such drugs to her or his patients in the regular course of her or his practice in compliance with s. 465.0276, F.S. Dispensing practitioners may include: physicians, dentists, certified optometrists, podiatrists, advanced practice registered nurses and physician assistants.

The PDMP must be consulted each time a prescription for a controlled substance is written

The prescriber is not required to consult the PDMP before each refill, however, the prescriber must consult the PDMP prior to writing a new prescription for a controlled substance listed in Schedule II through V. A prescription for a controlled substance listed in Schedule II may not be refilled.

The prescriber must document in the patient’s record the reason the PDMP was not consulted and may prescribe no more than a 3-day supply of a controlled substance.

• If the PDMP system is not operational as determined by DOH, or
• The PDMP cannot be accessed by the prescriber practitioner due to a temporary technological or electrical failure or
• When prescribing a nonopioid Schedule V drug or
• The patient is less than 16 years of age

A prescriber or his or her designee must consult the PDMP to review their patient’s controlled substance dispensing history prior to prescribing a controlled substance in Schedules II-V, as defined in section 893.03, F.S., for patients age 16 and older.