If a patient is out of refills on maintenance medications, what is a requirement for an emergency refill supply?

In situations where a patient is out of refills on maintenance medications and an emergency refill is required, it is essential for the pharmacist to notify the physician within 72 hours of the emergency dispensing. This requirement ensures that the physician is aware of the situation and can review the patient's medication therapy, which is critical for ongoing patient safety and continuity of care. By alerting the physician, the pharmacist helps to maintain communication between healthcare providers and supports the proper management of the patient's health needs.

The other options do not align with the necessary requirements under pharmacy law. For instance, while notifying the physician within 24 hours may seem reasonable, the specific time frame stipulated is 72 hours. Dispensing up to a 90-day supply could exceed what is typically considered reasonable for an emergency refill, which is often limited to a smaller quantity, typically a 30-day supply. Lastly, the notion that no notification is needed for any medications contradicts the requirement to keep the physician informed, which is critical for co-managing patient medications appropriately.