Retail Questions about controls and 90 day supply!

[Dreamer716]

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Hi guys thanks for all the good feedback you guys constantly give. Two things that are kinda bugging me. Number 1, what is your policy on filling controls early in this example: I had a customer come in with a script for a controlled med with new directions (frequency was changed) but it was too soon to fill based on what the directions were last time, mind you same drug, prescriber, clinic, etc. Now in this case, I always call the prescriber to document the conversation and why I'm filling early. In this instance I had to make the patient wait a bit cause the prescriber couldn't be reached and the prescriber called back all furious stating you should just fill it based on the obvious (changed frequency) and that he never had this problem with any RPH before. Just wanted to see where you guys stood on that. Also, my company is really pushing 90 day supply. In NJ, can we convert 30 day supply with 2 refills to 90 day supply? I cant find anything concrete. Gonna try calling the BOP for clarity tomorrow.

 

[WorthlessOxygen]

The pharmacists that I've worked with would recalculate the days supply based on the new directions and dispense without any extra documentation. I'm still a student so I can't say what I've done but if I was in that situation now that's definitely what I'd do.

I've never heard of anyone calling on that. Have you ever had a prescriber tell you to hold off on filling?


Edit to clarify: I'm only talking about your first question, I don't know how 30 to 90 day supplies are handled in your state.

 

[Sine Cura]

30 to 90 day, technically that is considered deviating from what the Rx says. That's why some state BoP explictly state exceptions allowing converting to 90 day when the rx calls for 30 day. Non controls, it's "ideal" to get a 90 day supply to begin with.

 

[rxkrafted]

I don't understand why you had to contact the prescriber to document a conversation that you are filling a script with new instructions. Unless you found something wrong with the Rx, why are you wasting your time, the patient's time and the prescriber's time? You could have done the math and asked patient how many pills he had left and tell them to finish that stock before bringing in the new Rx. You could have also just filled it and left a note on the profile for when the patient should be due for the next fill after adding the day supply left from the previous fill.

 

[Dreamer716]

Gotcha thanks for the feedback guys!

 

[BenJammin]

Why would you call the doctor to tell them why you're filling early? You're a pharmacist licensed by the state. Do physicians call you when they hand your patient new prescriptions with updated directions?

 

[Dreamer716]

Why would you call the doctor to tell them why you're filling early? You're a pharmacist licensed by the state. Do physicians call you when they hand your patient new prescriptions with updated directions?

Just making sure, sheesh! Lesson learned