South Carolina Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination (MPJE) Practice Exam

C3-C5 prescriptions may not be refilled sooner than:

1. 24 hours

2. 48 hours

3. 72 hours

4. 1 week

The correct answer is: 48 hours

The regulation around the refilling of C3-C5 prescriptions specifies a minimum time frame that must elapse between refills to prevent abuse and to ensure proper management of controlled substances. The correct answer indicates that prescriptions for Schedule III, IV, and V controlled substances cannot be refilled sooner than 48 hours from the time the previous fill was dispensed. This requirement is in place to promote careful monitoring of the dispensation of these controlled substances due to the potential for misuse. The 48-hour rule means that patients and pharmacists should be aware of the importance of spacing out refills to avoid issues related to dependence or diversion. In contrast, the other options suggest shorter or longer intervals that do not align with the current regulations regarding the refilling of these prescriptions. Therefore, the 48-hour requirement strikes a balance between patient access to medications and the need for safety and oversight in the prescribing and dispensing of controlled substances.