54.1-3411 - When prescriptions may be refilled. - Virginia Statutes

§ 54.1-3411. When prescriptions may be refilled.

Prescriptions may be refilled as follows:

1. A prescription for a drug in Schedule II may not be refilled.

2. A prescription for a drug in Schedules III or IV may not be filled orrefilled more than six months after the date on which such prescription wasissued and no such prescription may be authorized to be refilled, nor berefilled, more than five times, except that any prescription for such a drugafter six months from the date of issue, or after being refilled five times,may be renewed by the prescriber issuing it either in writing, or orally, ifpromptly reduced to writing and filed by the pharmacist filling it.

3. A prescription in Schedule VI may not be refilled, unless authorized bythe prescriber either on the face of the original prescription or orally bythe prescriber except as provided in subdivision 4 of this section. Oralinstructions shall be reduced promptly to writing by the pharmacist and filedon or with the original prescription.

4. A prescription for a drug controlled by Schedule VI may be refilledwithout authorization from the prescriber if reasonable effort has been madeto communicate with the prescriber, and the pharmacist has determined that heis not available and the patient's health would be in imminent danger withoutthe benefits of the drug. The pharmacist shall inform the patient of theprescriber's unavailability and that the refill is being made without hisauthorization. The pharmacist shall promptly inform the prescriber of suchrefill. The date and quantity of the refill, the prescriber's unavailabilityand the rationale for the refill shall be noted on the reverse side of theprescription.

(1970, c. 650, § 54-524.68; 1972, c. 798; 1976, c. 614; 1983, c. 395; 1988,c. 765; 1996, c. 408.)