Diagnosis Codes on Controlled Substance Prescriptions - Guidance Document for Medical Board and Nursing Board Licensees | | |
Ohioʼs prescription issuance rule (OAC 4729:5-5-15) requires MD/DOs, APRNs, and PAs to include the ICD-10-CM medical diagnosis code of the primary disease or condition that the controlled substance is being used to treat. The code shall, at a minimum, include the first four alphanumeric characters of the ICD-10-CM medical diagnosis code, sometimes referred to as the category and the etiology.
IMPORTANT: This requirement & guidance does not apply to the following:
- Veterinarians are exempted from any diagnosis code requirement on a controlled substance prescription [see OAC 4729:5-5-15 (B)(14)(b)].
- Dentists are required to include the Code on Dental Procedures and Nomenclature (CDT Code), as published by the American Dental Association, of the dental treatment requiring the controlled substance prescription.
For more information, the Board developed a guidance document that can be accessed at: www.pharmacy.ohio.gov/DxCode.
| | CRNA Drug Enforcement Administration Registration Guidance | | |
Effective June 9, 2026, HB 52 (136th General Assembly) eliminates the current requirement that a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) practice under the supervision of a physician, podiatrist, or dentist. Instead, it will require a CRNA to practice in collaboration with such a provider.
NOTE: A certified registered nurse anesthetist is still not permitted to prescribe a drug for use outside of the healthcare facility (e.g., outpatient prescription) where the nurse practices.
To assist CRNAs in complying with state and federal laws regarding the requirement to hold a DEA registration, the Board of Pharmacy updated our guidance: www.pharmacy.ohio.gov/CRNA.
For any additional questions regarding CRNA scope of practice, please contact the Ohio Board of Nursing: https://nursing.ohio.gov/help-center.
For information about registering with the DEA, visit: https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drugreg/registration.html.
| | Waiver of Third-Party Prescription Intermediary Approval | | The Ohio Board of Pharmacy is no longer approving third-party intermediaries. For more information on complying with OAC 4729:5-3-11, visit: www.pharmacy.ohio.gov/3rdParty. | | Application of OAC 4729:5-5-05 to FDA-Approved Sodium Oxybate Products Under Approved Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS) | | To accommodate titration requirements, the Board has waived the prohibitions in OAC 4729:5-5-05 (B)(2) and (B)(4) for FDA-approved sodium oxybate products that are subject to an approved Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy. As a condition of this exception, all pre-printed forms shall be designed to require the inclusion of a diagnosis code in accordance with OAC 4729:5-5-15 (B)(14). This exception does not apply to any non-FDA approved products, including any dangerous drugs that are compounded. | | HME Renewal Information and Resources | | The renewal period for Home Medical Equipment Services Provider licenses (HMEL) and registrations (HMER) begins May 1st, 2026. Important information and guidance about the upcoming renewal can be found at www.pharmacy.ohio.gov/HMERenew. | | Applications Now Open for the Ohio Board of Pharmacy's Rules Review Committee | | |
The Ohio Board of Pharmacy’s Rules Review Committee is responsible for reviewing all rules prior to their legislatively mandated five-year review date. The Committee is composed of twelve Ohio licensed pharmacists and two pharmacy technicians in good standing and will meet this fall for a half-day virtual meeting (via Microsoft Teams).
For more information about the Committee, including how to apply, visit: www.pharmacy.ohio.gov/RR26.
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Get Ready - BWC's Medical & Health Symposium Registration Opens June 1!
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The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation’s (BWC) Medical & Health Symposium (MHS) is back Sept. 16-18, 2026, bringing one of the most powerful, future-focused programs yet. Whether you’re a provider, clinician, therapist, or health-care professional, this is your chance to dive into groundbreaking conversations, learn from nationally recognized experts, and explore the innovations shaping the future of workers’ compensation care.
Experience the sessions everyone will be talking about
This year’s lineup highlights resilience, innovation, and the evolving human experience in health care and recovery. Here’s a look at just a few dynamic sessions planned:
- Trauma’s impact on the human body and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) presumption laws
- Brain computer interfaces, robotics, and the future of AI in medicine
- Knee replacement surgery and advanced physical therapy
- Inspiring resilience stories from Rebekah Gregory and Kina Hart
And there’s more still to come; the full lineup will be announced soon!
Grow your expertise with free continuing education (CE)
BWC is applying for CE opportunities for over 25 types of health-care and legal professionals, making MHS a powerful way to earn credit while staying on the cutting edge.
Virtual vendor expo
Explore innovative products and solutions from medical technology vendors and health-care partners through the interactive virtual showcase.
Save the date, spread the word, and get ready for three days of powerful learning and connection. Visit the MHS website to register and learn more!
| | Reminder: The Board is Offering Free Fentanyl Test Strips, Naloxone Brochures, and Xylazine Test Strips to All Ohio Licensees | | |
The Ohio Board of Pharmacy continues to offer to all licensees no-cost fentanyl test strips and educational handouts in partnership with the Office of Governor Mike DeWine, RecoveryOhio, the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, and the Ohio Department of Health. Each licensee can request up to two boxes of fentanyl strips per order (100 strips per box), and the Board's educational handouts are also available in English and Spanish (100 handouts per pack). Strips will be available until supplies last and may be reordered by the same location if running low.
Additionally, effective October 1, 2025, OAC 4729-8-02 makes test strips and reagent kits that test for xylazine legal to distribute in Ohio. For a limited time until grant funds are exhausted, licensees can order xylazine test strips through the Board of Pharmacy as well.
Orders for fentanyl test strips, xylazine test strips, and handouts must be placed online using the following link: www.pharmacy.ohio.gov/FTSorder.
In addition to test strips, licensees may request naloxone overdose and recognition brochures while supplies last. Use the following link to order: www.pharmacy.ohio.gov/nalbrochure.
DUE TO GRANT FUNDING RESTRICTIONS, WE ARE ONLY ABLE TO OFFER STRIPS TO LICENSEES LOCATED IN THE STATE OF OHIO.
| | Be Vigilant - Watch Out for Scammers! | | BOARD STAFF DO NOT ASK FOR MONEY OVER THE PHONE OR VIA EMAIL TO RESOLVE PENDING INVESTIGATIONS. WHEN IN DOUBT, PLEASE CONTACT THE BOARD IF YOU BELIEVE YOU ARE THE TARGET OF A SCAM. | | |
The Ohio Board of Pharmacy continues to learn that licensees are being targeted by scammers who claim to work for various governmental agencies (Board of Pharmacy, DEA, FBI, Department of Justice, etc.) to obtain money from the target. The Board strongly encourages licensees to be alert to avoid scammers.
Scammers may try to initiate contact via phone calls, emails, faxes, and letters purporting to originate from various state and federal agencies that include allegations of drug trafficking and threats of suspension against the target’s license.
Board of Pharmacy investigators will not ask for fine payment or personal/sensitive information over the phone and will never contact licensees via fax. As a reminder, administrative fines issued by the Board are not paid via gift cards or cryptocurrency. If the Board of Pharmacy is conducting an investigation and that individual faces action against their license, they will receive an official notice of opportunity for a hearing either via certified mail, personal service, or electronic registered mail.
If you are contacted by a scammer, please report this information using the Board’s online complaint form: www.pharmacy.ohio.gov/complaint. Additionally, reports should be made to your local law enforcement agency.
If you receive any suspicious calls or correspondence purporting to be from the Board of Pharmacy, we encourage you to call (614-466-4143) or email (contact@pharmacy.ohio.gov) the Board to confirm its legitimacy.
| | People call, text, and chat the 988 Lifeline to talk about a lot of emotional needs—not just thoughts of suicide. Whatever your reason, the #988Lifeline is there to help. There is hope. | | |
Ohio Board of Pharmacy
Mike DeWine, Governor | Steven W. Schierholt, Executive Director
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