What is the maximum number of refills allowed for Schedule 3-5 prescriptions within a 6-month period?

The maximum number of refills allowed for Schedule 3-5 prescriptions within a 6-month period is five refills. This regulation is consistent with federal law as stipulated by the Controlled Substances Act, which provides for these schedules to allow for a greater number of refills compared to Schedule 2 prescriptions, which cannot be refilled at all.

Pharmacy practitioners can use this flexibility to manage chronic conditions or ongoing therapies, ensuring that patients have consistent access to their medications while still maintaining oversight and monitoring. Refilling these prescriptions can be done as long as it’s within the 6-month timeframe following the original prescription date. After this period, a new prescription would be required.

This understanding reflects the balance between patient access to medications and the regulatory framework designed to prevent misuse of controlled substances.