Dispensing an Emergency Refill without a Prescription

Question 1

When can pharmacist dispense an emergency refill without a prescription?

Answer 1

1) Pharmacy has a record of a prescription for the drug in the name of the patient who is requesting it and the prescription has** no refills or the refills have expired.**

2) R.Ph. is unable to contact the prescriber for refill authorization.

3) In the pharmacist’s judgment, the drug is essential to sustain life, continues therapy for a chronic condition, or failure to dispense the drug could result in harm to the health of the patient.

Question 1

What can the amount of drug dispensed not exceed?

Answer 1

72 hour supply (treated as a brand new prescription)

Question 2

If the patient has been on a consistent drug therapy demonstrated by records
maintained by the pharmacy, what is the day supply?

Answer 2

cannot exceed a 30 day supply
* this 30-day supply can only be
dispensed (without refills available) once in a 12-month period.

Question 3

Can pharmacist give inhaler with directions that last the patient 60 days (exceeding the 30 day supply)?

Answer 3

yes, This can only be done for prescriptions that are not controlled substances.

Question 4

When do you have record the dispensing and notify the physician?

Answer 4

within 72 hours

Question 5

What does the pharmacist have to create for the emergency refill?

Answer 5

a new prescription document (that’s why they charge 2 co-pays)

Question 6

The law states that the pharmacy must have a record of the prescription. However, it does not specify that the record must be specific to that pharmacy. Therefore, pharmacists may utilize a real-time database to access patient records in order to determine whether it is appropriate to dispense an emergency refill. True or false.

Answer 6

True

Question 7

Does insurance have to cover all emergency dispensing?

Answer 7

yes

Question 8

for a controlled susbtance patient is out of refills, what is the max amount you give them?

Answer 8

72 hours supply