A prescription for morphine sulfate 10 mg/5 mL oral solution is a single issue. How long is this prescription valid from the stated appropriate date?

• A. 28 days
• B. 3 months
• C. 6 months
• D. 12 months

Answer: (C)

The main concept here is the validity window for a single-issue prescription of a controlled opioid. For a drug like morphine in a single-issue prescription, the prescription is considered valid for up to six months from the date it is issued. This means the pharmacist may dispense the medication anytime within that six-month period, counting from the stated issue date on the prescription.

Why six months fits best: morphine is a high‑risk opioid, so there’s a need to limit how long a patient can hold and use a supply without a new clinical review. A six‑month window balances ensuring access to necessary analgesia with the safety check of re-evaluation by the prescriber. Once six months have passed, a fresh prescription is required to continue therapy, since it is a single issue with no repeats.

The other durations don’t align with how a single-issue opioid prescription is typically regulated. A shorter period like 28 days would be overly restrictive for ongoing treatment, while a longer period such as 12 months would increase risk without a new clinical assessment. The 6-month window is the standard middle-ground for this scenario.