Can pharmacists prescribe controlled substances under a consult agreement when approved by the DEA?

The assertion that pharmacists can always prescribe controlled substances under a consult agreement when approved by the DEA is overly broad and does not accurately reflect the various regulations that apply. While pharmacists can have prescriptive authority for certain medications under specific circumstances, it generally relies on the context of state laws and regulations in addition to federal regulations.

Pharmacists can have prescriptive authority in a collaborative practice agreement, which may allow them to manage drug therapy for certain conditions in partnership with physicians. However, this is conditional on both the agreement's terms and the state’s scope of practice laws. In Ohio, specific medications may be included, and limitations often exist regarding the types of controlled substances that can be prescribed.

Therefore, the correct interpretation recognizes that while there are situations that permit pharmacists to prescribe controlled substances under designated agreements, it is not an unrestricted allowance. Regulations at both the federal and state levels must be followed, thereby making the situation contingent on various factors rather than an unqualified "yes."