Which statement accurately reflects CMS EPCS exemptions for pharmacists?

• A. Pharmacists must verify exemptions.
• B. Pharmacists are not required to verify exemptions.
• C. Exemptions apply to all prescribers.
• D. Exemptions require patient consent.

Answer: (B)

Exemptions in CMS EPCS are built into the workflow to streamline certain electronic prescriptions for controlled substances. The decision and application of an exemption are handled by the prescribing system or the prescriber, not by the pharmacist at dispense. That means pharmacists aren’t required to verify that an exemption exists for a given prescription; their role is to verify the prescription’s validity, appropriateness, and secure transmission, then dispense. Exemptions aren’t universal for all prescribers and don’t depend on patient consent as part of the exemption itself.