Create and Print a Prescription in California

Before Creating the Prescription

Confirm that:

• A valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship exists.

• The prescribing veterinarian has reviewed and authorized the medication.

• The client’s full name and address are correct.

• The patient’s name and species are correct.

• The prescribing veterinarian’s California license information is present.

• For controlled substances, the veterinarian has an individual DEA registration. A veterinarian cannot prescribe controlled substances using another veterinarian’s DEA registration.

Create the Prescription

1. Open the animal’s patient record.

2. Select New Medication Request or open the medication workflow from the current visit.

3. Search for and select the medication.

4. Complete the prescription details:

   • Medication name

   • Strength or concentration

   • Dosage form

   • Quantity prescribed

   • Route

   • Dose and frequency

   • Duration

   • Complete client instructions

   • Number of refills

   • Prescribing veterinarian

   • Clinical notes, when needed

5. Under Fulfillment Method, select Print/Fax.

6. Review the client and patient information shown on the prescription:

   • Client’s full legal name

   • Client’s complete address

   • Patient’s name

   • Species

   • Practice name, address and telephone number

   • Prescriber’s name and license classification

   • California veterinary license number

   • DEA registration number when prescribing a controlled substance

7. Select Generate Prescription or Print Prescription.

8. Review the generated prescription before printing. Do not hand-edit the generated PDF or alter medication information after the veterinarian has approved it.

Printing a Non-Controlled Prescription

A non-controlled prescription may be printed on ordinary white prescription paper.

Use a clear printer setting with:

• Actual size or 100% scale

• Portrait orientation

• Black ink

• No browser headers, footers or page URLs

• No “fit to page” setting that reduces text readability

The printed prescription must clearly display the client and patient information, medication name, quantity, directions, date issued and prescriber information. California law requires a written prescription to be signed by the issuing prescriber.

After printing:

1. Have the prescribing veterinarian review the final document.

2. Have the veterinarian sign the prescription.

3. Give the original to the client or transmit it to the selected pharmacy through an authorized method.

4. Confirm that the prescription is saved in the patient’s medication history and medical record.

Printing a Controlled-Substance Prescription

Controlled substances in Schedules II, III, IV or V require a California Security Prescription Form obtained from a California Department of Justice-approved security printer. A prescription printed entirely on ordinary office paper is not a valid California written controlled-substance prescription.

Prepare the Printer

1. Obtain compliant forms from a California-approved security printer.

2. Confirm that the form contains the required security features, serialized number and barcode.

3. Load the security form into the correct printer tray.

4. Confirm the paper orientation using a blank test sheet. Do not use an actual security form for test printing.

5. Select the printer and tray containing the security forms.

PawthosX adds the prescription-specific information to the approved form. PawthosX does not create or replace the security paper, serial number, barcode, watermark or other physical security features.

Print and Sign

1. Verify that the prescription is marked as a controlled substance and that the correct schedule is selected.

2. Confirm the prescribing veterinarian’s individual DEA number.

3. Confirm the medication name, strength, dosage form, quantity, directions and refill information.

4. Print one original prescription onto the approved security form.

5. Have the prescribing veterinarian sign and date the prescription in ink.

6. Complete any quantity or refill checkboxes required by the security form.

7. Confirm that the prescription-specific text does not cover the serial number, barcode, security-feature description or required checkboxes.

California controlled-substance prescriptions must be signed and dated in ink and include the prescriber’s address and telephone number, the recipient information, refill information, and the drug’s name, quantity, strength and directions for use.

Final Verification

Before releasing any printed prescription, confirm that:

• The correct animal and client appear on the prescription.

• The client’s address is complete.

• The medication, strength and dosage form are unambiguous.

• The quantity and units are clearly stated.

• The directions are complete and understandable.

• The prescription date is correct.

• Refills are clearly identified.

• The correct veterinarian is listed.

• The veterinarian has signed the prescription.

• The DEA number is present when required.

• A controlled prescription was printed on an approved California security form.

Staff may prepare and print the prescription for the veterinarian’s review, but only the veterinarian may make the prescribing decision and authorize the finished prescription.

Controlled-Substance Records

When a controlled-substance prescription is filled by an outside pharmacy, the pharmacy is the dispenser and is responsible for the applicable CURES dispensing report. The veterinary practice should not separately report the outside pharmacy’s dispensing event as though the practice dispensed the medication.

Report lost or stolen California security prescription forms immediately through the practice’s controlled-substance procedures. California requires compliant security forms to be obtained from an approved security printer and imposes reporting obligations when forms are lost or stolen.

This guide describes the operational use of PawthosX One and does not replace the prescribing veterinarian’s professional judgment or the clinic’s responsibility to comply with applicable law.