Can a pharmacist fill a hand-delivered prescription that is electronically signed?

In the context of pharmacy practice, the validity of an electronically signed prescription can depend on both federal and state regulations. In Oregon, as in many jurisdictions, electronic signatures on prescriptions are recognized as valid under certain conditions. However, for a prescription to be filled legally, it typically must be manually signed by the prescriber when delivered in person, unless specific provisions under the electronic prescribing laws are met.

The requirement for a manual signature serves to authenticate the prescriber’s intent to authorize the medication and to verify the legitimacy of the prescription at the point of delivery. A manual signature can include handwritten elements which provide additional security and reduce the risk of fraud, ensuring that prescriptions are indeed issued by a licensed prescriber.

While there are scenarios in which electronic prescriptions can be legally transmitted and filled, the scenario described—specifically a prescription that is hand-delivered—would not meet the regulatory requirements for an electronic signature to suffice without the appropriate verification through a manual signature. Thus, the conclusion is that the pharmacist cannot fill a hand-delivered prescription that is electronically signed without a manual signature from the prescriber.