Physician dispensing is a practice where healthcare providers can both prescribe and dispense medications directly to their patients from their office. This method has become increasingly popular across various states, including Illinois, due to its benefits such as improved patient access to medications, increased convenience, and better adherence to prescribed treatments. However, in Illinois, physician dispensing is governed by specific regulations and guidelines that healthcare providers must follow to ensure both patient safety and compliance with state laws. Continue reading to explore the detailed rules and requirements related to physician dispensing in Illinois.

In Illinois, physicians are permitted to dispense both legend drugs and controlled substances, but dispensing controlled substances requires a state-controlled substances (CS) license, which can be obtained by applying through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) and paying a $5.00 fee.

Similarly, Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) can also dispense legend drugs and controlled substances. However, they must have prescriptive authority delegated by a supervising physician in their collaborative agreement and obtain a state CS license to dispense controlled substances. For APRNs to prescribe and dispense Schedule II drugs, they must have completed at least 45 graduate hours of pharmacology.

Physician Assistants (PAs), working under a collaborative agreement with a physician, can also dispense both legend drugs and controlled substances, including Schedule II drugs, with specific restrictions.

You can find the necessary applications and further information on the IDFPR website:

• Physician CS License Application
• APRN CS License Application

At the federal level, the American Medical Association (AMA) supports the right of physicians to dispense drugs and devices in accordance with ethical standards, and many states adopt these principles. However, specific requirements differ from state to state. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) imposes additional regulations on controlled substances, requiring physicians to register and comply with federal guidelines. Furthermore, the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) requires that all medications, including those dispensed by physicians, be properly labeled and packaged.

When considering physician dispensing regulations in Illinois, it's important to differentiate between federal and state guidelines. While federal regulations provide a broad framework, state regulations, particularly in Illinois, focus on detailed requirements set by the Illinois State Board of Pharmacy.

As stated above, there are specific considerations for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) and Physician Assistants (PAs) when it comes to dispensing medications in the state of Illinois. Below is a recap of these items:

1. Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs):
   • Educational Requirements: To prescribe and dispense Schedule II controlled substances, APRNs must have completed at least 45 graduate hours of pharmacology.
   • Collaborative Agreement: APRNs must have prescriptive authority delegated by a supervising physician in their written collaborative agreement to dispense both legend drugs and controlled substances.
   • Controlled Substance License: APRNs are required to obtain a state-controlled substances (CS) license to dispense controlled substances.
2. Physician Assistants (PAs):
   • Collaborative Agreement: PAs must work under a collaborative agreement with a physician to dispense legend drugs and controlled substances.
   • Controlled Substance Restrictions: PAs are allowed to dispense Schedule II controlled substances, but there are specific restrictions that must be adhered to under state law.

These considerations ensure that APRNs and PAs are properly trained and regulated when dispensing medications in the state of Illinois.

As stated above, Illinois physicians, Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs), and Physician Assistants (PAs) can dispense controlled substances, but they must adhere to these specific state regulations:

1. Physicians:
   • Must obtain a state-controlled substances (CS) license to dispense controlled substances.
2. APRNs:
   • Must have prescriptive authority for controlled substances delegated by a supervising physician in their collaborative agreement.
   • Must obtain a state CS license to dispense controlled substances.
   • Must complete at least 45 graduate hours of pharmacology to prescribe and dispense Schedule II controlled substances.
3. PAs:
   • Can dispense controlled substances, including Schedule II drugs, under a collaborative agreement with a supervising physician, with certain restrictions.

These requirements ensure proper regulation and safe dispensing of controlled substances across the state.

In Illinois, prescription labeling requirements mandate that dispensing practitioners include specific details on the packaging of prescription drugs. According to Illinois statutes and the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), accurate labeling is essential for ensuring patient safety and compliance. Below is a current list of the labeling requirements for medications dispensed in the state of Illinois.

Illinois Prescription Label requirements:

• The date on which such drug or medicine is dispensed
• The name of the patient
• The last name of the person dispensing such drug or medicine
• The directions for use thereof
• The proprietary name or names or, if there are none, the established name or names of the drug or medicine, the dosage and quantity, except as otherwise authorized by regulation of the Department.

If you are an Illinois physician and are interested in starting a physician dispensing program in your practice or clinic, reach out to our customer support team today, and we will help you get started.

Please note that MDScripts has provided this information for reference purposes only. Illinois state dispensing regulations are subject to frequent changes, so we recommend consulting an attorney or your state medical or pharmacy board for specific questions or to confirm your eligibility to dispense.