South Carolina Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination (MPJE) Practice Exam

True or False: A 30 day supply of an emergency prescription refill can be dispensed if it is in a package.

1. True

2. False

3. Depends on the medication

4. Only for certain medications

The correct answer is: True

The statement is true because, under specific conditions, a pharmacist may dispense an emergency prescription refill for up to a 30-day supply, even if the medication is in a package, without needing direct authorization from the prescriber. This provision is in line with rules intended to ensure that patients can maintain continuity of care, particularly in situations where access to a physician in a timely manner is not feasible. In South Carolina, as well as in many other jurisdictions, state laws recognize the pharmacist's ability to respond to urgent needs by allowing them to provide a refill even when the original prescription may not be readily reachable. This is often applicable in cases where the medication is essential for managing a chronic condition and is not classified as a controlled substance. The stipulation is that the pharmacist must make a reasonable effort to contact the prescriber for approval if possible, but in emergencies where this is not feasible, the pharmacy is permitted to dispense a package that covers the 30-day requirement. Therefore, the assertion that a 30-day supply can be dispensed is valid, provided that all relevant regulations are followed and the drug in question does not have restrictions that would prohibit such action.