Ohio Pharmacy Law Practice Test

How long can Schedule 5 prescriptions be refilled?

1. Six months

2. One year

3. Two years

4. Indefinitely

The correct answer is: One year

Schedule 5 prescriptions can be refilled for a maximum of one year from the date of the prescription. This regulation is in place to ensure proper monitoring of the use of controlled substances, even those that are considered to have a lower potential for abuse compared to higher schedules. While many prescriptions may have varying refill timelines based on their schedule, Schedule 5 is specifically outlined to have this one-year limit to maintain patient safety and adhere to regulatory standards. Patients can receive multiple refills within this period, but they cannot continue to refill beyond the one-year mark without re-evaluating their need for the medication and obtaining a new prescription. The other timeframes, such as six months and two years, do not align with the established regulations for Schedule 5, as they either under-represent or over-exceed the allowable time limit for refills set by law. Furthermore, the notion of indefinite refills is not applicable, as it would disregard the intent behind controlled substance regulations that aim to provide oversight and ensure responsible prescribing practices.