Under what condition can a pharmacist dispense a 90-day supply of a prescription originally written for 30 days?

A pharmacist can dispense a 90-day supply of a prescription originally written for 30 days if the patient has previously had a 30-day supply for that medication. This condition ensures that the pharmacist is following proper medication management practices by ensuring that the patient has previously tolerated the medication. It also allows pharmacists to support medication adherence by providing a larger supply that can reduce the frequency of pharmacy visits.

The concept of refilling prescriptions is fundamental in pharmacy practice, and been established to help ensure patient safety and effectiveness of therapy. If a patient has already successfully managed a 30-day supply, the pharmacist can use this information to feel confident in dispensing a longer supply. This practice not only aids in patient adherence but also can be more convenient for patients, reducing the number of trips they have to make to the pharmacy.

Other options do not provide sufficient reasons for dispensing a 90-day supply. For instance, the expiration of the 30-day prescription itself does not justify issuing a longer supply without further evidence of the patient’s needs or previous experience with the medication. Confirmation from a doctor might be useful, but it is typically not necessary if the patient has already had a previous supply managed properly. Likewise, patient requests for a 90-day supply alone may not guarantee