35-7-1030. Prescriptions required in certain instances.

(a) Except when dispensed directly by a practitioner, other than a pharmacy, to an ultimate user, no controlled substance in Schedule II may be dispensed without the written or electronic prescription of a practitioner. This subsection is repealed effective January 1, 2021.

(b) In emergency situations, as defined by rule of the board, Schedule II drugs may be dispensed upon oral prescription of a practitioner, reduced promptly to writing and filed by the pharmacy. Prescriptions shall be retained in conformity with the requirements of W.S. 35-7-1028. No prescription for a Schedule II substance may be refilled.

(c) Except when dispensed directly by a practitioner other than a pharmacy to an ultimate user, a controlled substance included in Schedule III or IV, which is a prescription drug as determined under state or federal statute, shall not be dispensed without a written, oral or electronic prescription of a practitioner. The prescription shall not be filled or refilled more than six (6) months after the date thereof or be refilled more than five (5) times, unless renewed by the practitioner. This subsection is repealed effective January 1, 2021.

(d) No controlled substances included in any schedule may be distributed or dispensed for other than an acceptable medical indication.

(e) No practitioner shall prescribe nor shall any person dispense any opioid or combination of opioids for acute pain to an opioid naive patient for more than a seven (7) day supply in a seven (7) day period. The board shall by rule establish reasonable exceptions to this section, in consultation with other professional licensing boards that license practitioners, including exceptions for chronic pain, cancer treatment, palliative care and other clinically appropriate exceptions. As used in this subsection:

(i) "Opioid" means an opiumlike compound that binds to one (1) or more of the major opioid receptors in the body;

(ii) "Opioid naive patient" means a patient who has not had an active opioid prescription in the preceding forty-five (45) day period.

(f) On and after January 1, 2021, except when dispensed directly by a practitioner other than a pharmacy to an ultimate user, no controlled substance included in any schedule shall be dispensed without the electronic prescription of a practitioner. The prescription for a controlled substance included in Schedule III or IV shall not be filled or refilled more than six (6) months after the date of the prescription or be refilled more than five (5) times unless renewed by the practitioner. The board may by rule and regulation provide exemptions from the requirements of this subsection including exemptions for emergencies and technical failures.