South Carolina Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination (MPJE) Practice Exam

How long does a C3-C5 prescription expire after the issue date?

1. 3 months

2. 6 months

3. 1 year

4. 2 years

The correct answer is: 6 months

The correct answer indicates that a prescription for controlled substances in schedules C3 through C5 expires six months after the issue date. This timeframe is consistent with federal regulations, which dictate how long such prescriptions remain valid before the patient must obtain a new prescription from their healthcare provider. This six-month validity period is essential for both patient safety and regulatory compliance. It ensures that medications that require ongoing assessment and physician oversight are not dispensed beyond a time frame where their continued use is questionable or no longer appropriate. In addition, this regulation helps to mitigate the risks of misuse or diversion of controlled substances, which can be a critical concern, particularly with medications that may have potential for abuse. It's important for pharmacists and healthcare providers to remain aware of these expiration guidelines to ensure that they are complying with the law while providing safe care to their patients.