The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has modified HIPAA retail pharmacy transaction requirements to differentiate between partial fill and full refills of opioids and other Schedule II drug prescriptions.  Specifically, HHS has finalized the requirements for use of the National Council for Prescription Drug Programs (NCPDP) Telecommunication Standard Implementation Guide, Version D, Release 0, August 2007, by requiring use of the Quantity Prescribed (460-ET) field to identify partial fills for Schedule II drugs.  The Administration believes that the more robust prescribing information will help prevent impermissible refills of Schedule II drugs and enhance researchers’ understanding of prescribing trends.  The rule is effective on March 24, 2020, and compliance is required by September 21, 2020.