An electronic prescription for oxycodone was dispensed last month but not collected; the patient returns after 28 days. Which is correct?

• A. Explain that the prescription is no longer valid and advise the patient to request a new prescription.
• B. Allow collection despite expiry.
• C. Request a new prescription from the prescriber.
• D. Treat as a new prescription and dispense.

Answer: (B)

The situation hinges on how uncollected supplies of a controlled drug are handled and what the expiry on an electronic prescription means. If a prescription has already been dispensed but the patient hasn’t picked it up, the physical supply that was prepared remains available for collection even if the 28-day window for issuing a new supply has passed. Therefore, the pharmacist can allow the patient to collect the already-dispensed quantity despite the expiry on the prescription. If the patient needs more supply beyond what was dispensed, a fresh prescription or prescriber authorization would be required.

In short, you’re not blocking the already-prepared medication from being collected; you’re simply avoiding denying access to a quantity that’s already been prepared, while arranging for any further needs through a new prescription.