Ohio Pharmacy Law Practice Test

How many times can a noncontrolled prescription be filled if the prescriber has experienced a change of status?

1. Once

2. Twice

3. Only under special circumstances

4. As many times as needed

The correct answer is: Once

In Ohio, when a prescriber experiences a change of status, such as a change in their ability to practice or a significant alteration in their prescribing authority, the filling of noncontrolled prescriptions is affected by these changes. The law stipulates that a noncontrolled prescription can typically be filled once after such a change in status. This is due to the need to ensure that prescriptions remain valid and are issued in accordance with the prescriber’s current qualifications and authority. The rationale behind limiting the fills to just one is to prevent potential inconsistencies in the prescriber’s directive, ensuring patient safety and adherence to legal standards. Any further fills must be re-evaluated and authorized under the prescriber's new situation, which may involve the issuance of a new prescription. In contrast, the other options suggest either an unlimited number of fills or additional conditions that are not supported by Ohio pharmacy law, which emphasizes the necessity for clarity and compliance following any significant changes in a prescriber’s status.