California has temporarily halted a law that requires dentists writing prescriptions for controlled substances to use forms that include a unique serialized number approved by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).
Since the original law, AB 1753, went into effect on January 1, the Dental Board of California has noted a number of problems, including prescribers using outdated forms or being unable to obtain the new form. As a result, pharmacies have had to decide between providing medication for patients or complying with the law.
A new law, AB 149, intends to resolve these problems by instituting a transition period until the prescription form requirements go back into place. The halt on the original law went into effect immediately after Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the bill on March 11. The DOJ has yet to determine a new implementation date, but it will be no later than January 1, 2020, according to the Dental Board of California.
