Under what condition can a pharmacist issue a “one-time emergency refill”?

A pharmacist can issue a “one-time emergency refill” when the patient's medication is essential and a refill authorization cannot be obtained. This provision exists to ensure that patients do not experience interruptions in their necessary medication therapy in situations where contacting the prescriber for an authorization is not immediately feasible.

This situation is particularly relevant for patients who have chronic conditions or are on ongoing therapies, where the interruption of medication could have serious health consequences. The emergency refill allows the pharmacist to use their professional judgment to provide a limited supply of medication to the patient, thus ensuring continuity of care while still adhering to safety protocols.

In contrast, while medications on a "critical list" may suggest importance, they are not the determining factor for an emergency refill. The existence of a new prescription ready does not justify issuing an emergency refill, as that pertains to routine refilling processes. Furthermore, over-the-counter medications typically do not require a prescription or refill authorization, thus making them irrelevant in the context of emergency refills.