What must a pharmacy do according to the Ryan Haight Online Pharmacy Consumer Protection Act?

The correct answer is that a pharmacy must register with the DEA as a pharmacy and modify registration. The Ryan Haight Online Pharmacy Consumer Protection Act was enacted to combat online pharmaceutical fraud and abuse. Under this law, pharmacies that provide controlled substances to patients via the internet are required to register with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) as a legitimate pharmacy. This registration ensures that the pharmacy is recognized as a legal entity authorized to dispense medications, thereby promoting accountability and safety in the distribution of medications.

Additionally, the requirement to modify the registration reflects that the pharmacy must comply with specific regulations that pertain to the online dispensing of controlled substances, such as maintaining secure practices to ensure patient privacy and safety. This is critical in establishing a lawful online pharmacy practice in line with federal standards.

On the other hand, registering with the local health department and obtaining a professional fee schedule from the DEA are not specifically mandated by the Ryan Haight Act as prerequisites for operating an online pharmacy. Collecting patient emails, while potentially helpful for communication, is not a requirement under the Act. The focus is primarily on proper registration and compliance with DEA regulations to ensure responsible medication dispensing online.