The amount to be dispensed should be clearly stated and should be that needed by the patient. Excessive amounts should never be dispensed, as it is not only expensive to the patient, but may lead to accumulation of medicines in the home, which can later cause harm to the patient or members of his family. Federal law prohibits dispensing without a prescription. These drugs do not require a prescription. In addition to requiring a prescription, these drugs require additional safeguards for storage.
Refills are also limited.
Both State and Federal government agencies promulgate regulations regarding these drugs. The drugs that come under the jurisdiction of the Controlled Substances Act are divided into five schedules. Drugs can be scheduled, unscheduled, or moved from one schedule to another as the need arises. Schedule I Drugs in this schedule have no accepted medical use in the United States and have a high abuse potential. Examples are heroin, marijuana, LSD, peyote, etc.