What is required for a pharmacist to verify a prescriber's authority to prescribe an approved narcotic for addiction treatment?

To verify a prescriber's authority to prescribe an approved narcotic for addiction treatment, a special DEA number approval is indeed required.

In the context of addiction treatment, practitioners are often required to have a specific type of DEA registration, known as a Data Waiver or "X" number, in addition to their standard DEA registration. This designation allows them to prescribe certain controlled substances, such as buprenorphine, for the treatment of opioid use disorder. The special approval ensures that the prescriber is trained and authorized to manage patients with addiction, adhering to the regulations set by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

The other options do not provide the necessary verification of a prescriber's authority in this specific area. For instance, confirmation from the patient may serve as a formality but does not authenticate the prescriber's legal ability to prescribe such medications. State health department endorsement is not a universal requirement for a prescriber to manage addiction treatment, as regulations may vary. Similarly, while written documentation from the prescriber might be helpful in some contexts, it does not serve as the official verification of their legal authority to prescribe controlled substances for the treatment of addiction.