What action should a pharmacist take if they do not know the prescriber during an emergency dispensing of a CII?

In the context of emergency dispensing of a controlled substance, particularly a Schedule II (CII) drug, the integrity and legitimacy of the prescription are paramount. When a pharmacist does not know the prescriber, the best course of action is to verify the prescriber's identity. This involves checking that the prescriber is licensed and authorized to prescribe controlled substances, which ensures compliance with both state and federal regulations concerning the dispensing of narcotics and other CII medications.

Verifying the prescriber's identity helps prevent potential misuse and diversion of controlled substances and protects the pharmacist from legal repercussions associated with dispensing medications improperly. In the case of an emergency, the pharmacist should confirm the prescriber's credentials, which may include using reference databases or contacting the prescriber’s office directly to ascertain the validity of the prescription.

Other choices, such as contacting the patient for verification, while helpful, may not be sufficient in confirming the legitimacy of the prescriber. Asking for the patient's medical records is not typically feasible in an emergency situation, and refusing to dispense the medication could prevent necessary treatment for the patient in need. Thus, verifying the prescriber's identity is a critical action to ensure proper dispensing of controlled substances in emergencies.