Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ExCPT) Practice Exam

Which DEA schedule do exempt narcotics belong to?

1. II

2. III

3. IV

4. V

The correct answer is: V

Exempt narcotics are classified in Schedule V under the Controlled Substances Act. This schedule includes substances that have a lower potential for abuse compared to substances in Schedules I through IV, and they typically can be dispensed without a prescription, though there are specific regulations regarding their sale. Exempt narcotics often contain certain amounts of codeine or other narcotics combined with non-narcotic active ingredients, which further reduces their potential for misuse. Because of their lower potential for abuse, they are regulated less stringently than higher schedule drugs, which is a key characteristic of Schedule V. The other schedules, particularly II, III, and IV, contain substances that have varying degrees of potential for abuse and dependence, but they do not apply to exempt narcotics in the same way as Schedule V does. This classification is crucial for pharmacy technicians to understand in order to ensure proper handling and dispensing practices in compliance with legal regulations.