Currently, California pharmacies must report dispensing of Schedules II-IV to CURES (California’s PDMP database) “as soon as reasonably possible, but no more than 7 days after a controlled substance is dispensed.”

Effective January 1, 2021, California pharmacies will have to report the dispensing of a controlled substance prescription to CURES no more than one working day after the medication is dispensed (some exceptions apply). Also effective January 1, 2021, pharmacies must report dispensing Schedule V controlled substances to CURES.

For other healthcare providers, the new rule will mandate CURES review at least once every 6 months after the first time the substance is prescribed and the prescriber renews the prescription (with some exceptions). The rule would also establish a review and documentation requirement for a health care practitioner who receives the CURES database information from another authorized user.

For the full text of the new regulation, please go to AB 528.