What are the DEA requirements regarding the storage of electronic prescription records?
A. Once a prescription is created electronically, all records of the prescription must be retained electronically. As is the case with paper prescription records, electronic controlled substance prescription records must be kept for a minimum period of two years. Q. Are electronic prescription records required to be backed-up, and if so, how often. A. Yes, pharmacy application service providers must back up files daily. Also, although it is not required, DEA recommends as a best practice that pharmacies store their back-up copies at another location to prevent the loss of the records in the event of natural disasters, fires, or system failures.
