What is tamper-resistant prescription paper or pads?

Tamper-resistant prescription paper or pad means a prescription pad or paper that has been approved by the Board of Pharmacy for use in Washington and contains one or more industry-recognized feature to prevent each of the following:

• Unauthorized copying of a completed or blank prescription form.
• Erasure or modification of information written on the prescription by the prescriber.
• Use of counterfeit prescription forms.

What are industry-recognized features?

Examples of industry-recognized features include:

• The word “Void,” “Illegal,” or “Copy” appearing when the prescription is photocopied or faxed.
• A background consisting of a solid color or pattern that is printed on the paper. This stops a forger from physically erasing written or printed information on a prescription form.
• A complete list of the security features on the prescription paper. This aids pharmacists in identifying features and determining compliance.

Note: Vendors of approved tamper-resistant prescription paper or pads and prescribers are strongly encouraged to use the words “Copy” or “Copy/Fax” when using this feature to prevents unauthorized copying of a completed or blank prescription form.

What is the process for seeking board-approval of tamper-resistant paper or pads?

The Board of Pharmacy has developed a process for vendors to follow to receive the authority to apply the board’s seal to approved tamper resistant paper/pads that meet the criteria set forth in law. Tamper-Resistant Rx Review/Approval Process

The tamper resistant paper must be approved by the Board of Pharmacy prior to marketing or sale of pads or paper in Washington State.

Will the Washington State Board of Pharmacy endorse, credential or otherwise certify vendors whose paper meets the requirements of the law?

No.

What does Board of Pharmacy seal of approval look like?

• Washington State outline map is centered within a mortar and pestle watermark behind the seal.
• The state of Washington seal and text - green thermochromic ink that changes from green to yellow when exposed to heat or friction and back to green when cooled.
• Sample prescription form w/seal.

Can vendors provide blank stock of board-approved tamper resistant paper or pads to a prescriber or another vendor?

Yes, the law does not prohibit this practice. It is a business decision for a vendor to provide legitimate requestors with blank stock of the board-approved tamper resistant paper (with the seal affixed) for the prescriber or another vendor for printing prescription/prescriber specific information.

Are there specific requirements for prescription forms such as size or format?

Washington state law requires written prescriptions to have two signature lines at the bottom of every form. Under the signature line to the right side of the form “DISPENSE AS WRITTEN” must clearly be printed. Under the signature line on the left side the words “SUBSTITUTION PERMITTED” must clearly be printed. (RCW 69.41.120)

At this time, there are no regulations on the size or layout of a prescription form with except to the seal and the two signature lines. See the Sample prescription form w/seal for information on what should be included on a prescription form.

When using NCR or carbonless duplicate forms, must the seal of approval be printed on the original and the copy?

No. The seal must appear on original form. It is not required on copy. The seal symbolizes that the paper is board-approved and meets the tamper resistant requirements state in the law. The copy must unmistakably be recognizable as a copy of the original.