General Prescribing Frequently Asked Questions For Practitioners

Can a controlled substances registration for a practitioner be registered to a home address?

No, a practitioner with controlled substance authority must be registered at a Nevada practicing address.

Can Buprenorphine (Subutex or Suboxone) be prescribed for pain?

Yes, Buprenorphine can be prescribed for pain if the doctor specifies it is for pain. An X DEA number is not required if Buprenorphine is being used for pain. Thus, if a Buprenorphine does not indicate it is for pain, it can only be filled if the practitioner has an X DEA number.

Authority: NAC  

Can a practitioner write a prescription for himself or for “office use” to buy drugs from a pharmacy for administering or dispensing purposes?

No. A practitioner cannot write a prescription for himself or for “office use” to buy drugs from a pharmacy for administering or dispensing purposes. Instead, to obtain drugs from a pharmacy for administering or dispensing purposes a practitioner must provide the pharmacy with an order (it can be in the form of a note or letter) that contains at least:

  • The practitioners name and address;
  • The classification of the practitioner’s license;
  • The name, strength and quantity of the drug sought; and
  • The date of issue.

The pharmacy, when it fills the order, must provide to the physician an invoice with the drugs.

Can a prescribing practitioner prescribe CIII and CIV medication for a family member?

A dispensing practitioner cannot prescribe a CIII and CIV for himself/herself but may dispense a CIII or CIV for:

  • His Spouse; Her Spouse
  • His children; Her Children

Authority: NRS 453.256(7)