What is the required action if a written or electronic order for a telephone prescription is not received within 72 hours?

The correct action to take if a written or electronic order for a telephone prescription is not received within 72 hours is to report to the NYS Department of Health's Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement. This requirement is in place to ensure regulatory compliance and maintain oversight of controlled substances.

When a telephone prescription is issued, the prescriber is responsible for providing a written prescription that adheres to legal regulations within a specified time frame. If that written confirmation is not received within 72 hours, it raises concerns about the legitimacy and safety of the prescription, which is particularly critical in the case of controlled substances that can be abused.

Reporting to the NYS Department of Health's Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement is essential because they oversee the prescription of controlled substances and can take further action to mitigate any potential risks arising from unconfirmed prescriptions. This protocol is designed to protect both the patient and the integrity of the healthcare system.

The other options are less appropriate in this context since directly contacting the prescriber may not address wider regulatory issues, reporting to the National Institute on Drug Abuse is not typically within the scope of actions related to individual prescriptions, and contacting the patient does not resolve the lack of a written order, which is the primary concern.