What is the proper action if a pharmacy does not receive a required written prescription within the specified time after an emergency fill?

When a pharmacy provides an emergency fill, federal and state regulations typically require that a written prescription must be received from the prescriber within a specific timeframe, often 72 hours. If the pharmacy does not receive this written prescription within the required time period, the appropriate action is to notify the prescriber. This step ensures that the prescriber is aware that the written prescription has not yet been received, allowing them to potentially rectify the situation, either by sending the prescription or addressing any issues that may have arisen.

Notifying the prescriber is crucial for several reasons. It helps maintain communication between the pharmacy and the prescriber, ensuring that the legal and regulatory requirements are met for controlled substances. Additionally, this action can help protect the pharmacy from potential legal ramifications that could arise from failing to comply with documentation requirements after an emergency fill.

Alternatively, ignoring the issue could lead to legal problems, as well as compromising patient care if the medication is not properly authorized. Informing the patient may not directly resolve the issue regarding the prescription and is less efficient in ensuring compliance with regulations. Reporting to the DEA generally pertains to more serious compliance issues; in this case, it is more about communication between healthcare providers than a matter that requires such escalated action.