If a patient wants a 90-day supply of a medication but the physician only prescribes a 30-day supply with refills, which medication could be dispensed without contacting the physician?

In this scenario, the ability to dispense a 90-day supply of a medication without contacting the physician hinges on the classification of the medication and the regulations surrounding its refills.

Atorvastatin is categorized as a non-controlled substance and is often prescribed for chronic conditions such as high cholesterol. Because it is a maintenance medication, the law allows pharmacists to dispense a larger supply (like a 90-day supply) when the patient has an existing prescription for a smaller amount (in this case, a 30-day supply with refills).

Pharmacists are allowed to fill a prescription up to a 90-day supply from the available refills as long as it complies with state regulations and the pharmacy's policy. This flexibility is designed to facilitate ongoing therapy for chronic conditions and ensure patient convenience.

In contrast, sertraline (an antidepressant) can have more stringent requirements based on the context of the patient's treatment plan, and carisoprodol (a muscle relaxant) is classified as a controlled substance, which generally does not allow for similar dispensing liberties without direct physician communication. Therefore, the ability to dispense atorvastatin in this case stands out due to its classification and common practice in pharmacy, where a larger supply can be reasonably