When must a prescription be submitted to the CSMD?

The requirement for submitting a prescription to the Controlled Substance Monitoring Database (CSMD) is that it must be done by the end of the next business day after the prescription is dispensed. This timeline is essential for ensuring that accurate and timely information about controlled substances is available for monitoring purposes and helps in tracking prescription drug use, preventing misuse, and ensuring patient safety.

Submitting information promptly helps state authorities maintain up-to-date records on controlled substance prescriptions, which is crucial for identifying patterns of abuse or diversion. The end of the next business day provides a reasonable window for pharmacies to process and report prescriptions, balancing the need for timely data with the operational realities of pharmacy practice.

Longer submission timelines would create delays in monitoring and could potentially increase the risk of misuse, while shorter timelines than a business day might not be practical for pharmacies that may experience high volume or operational delays.