CA Reminder: AB 149 Delays New Prescription Form Mandates to 2021

Assembly Bill 149, which took effect last March and is enforced by the California Department of Justice (DOJ), introduced new form features for prescription forms for controlled substances and added a transition period for the new form requirements.

New Form Features

Beginning January 2, 2020, DOJ-approved printers of controlled substances prescription forms must include a unique serial number and barcode. Additionally, forms must be compliant with National Council for Prescription Drug Program Standards, as well as federal and state requirements.

Transition Period

Until January 1, 2021, all of the following prescription forms for controlled substances will be valid and accepted at pharmacies:

• Any prescription written on a prescription form that does not have a unique serialized number but was otherwise valid before January 1, 2019.
• Any prescription written on a form approved by the Department of Justice as of January 1, 2019.
• Any prescription written on a form that complies with the new requirements imposed by AB 149, including a compliant serial number and a barcode.

For a current list of DOJ-approved printers, click here.