Pharmacists should not request National Provider Identifier (NPI) numbers from veterinarian prescribers because veterinarians are ineligible to receive NPIs, the compliance highlight stated.

The guidance explained why this matters for pharmacy operations: a pharmacysystem that requires an NPI or a DEA registration number for every prescriber could block or delay processing of noncontrolled prescriptions written by veterinarians. For noncontrolled substances, veterinarian prescribers may use a state license number instead of an NPI or DEA registration number, the presenter said.

The announcement also clarified the limited role of DEA registration numbers: a DEA number is appropriate only in transactions involving controlled substances and is not a substitute for an identifier for noncontrolled veterinary prescriptions. Staff advised pharmacies whose software does not recognize the veterinarian exception to contact Pharmacy IT or their prescription software vendor to implement or enable the exception.

No formal motions or votes were recorded in connection with this guidance. The statement was presented as a compliance highlight; it did not cite a statute, rule, or specific board action in the transcript provided.