Under what condition can a prescription for a controlled substance be refilled?

A prescription for a controlled substance can be refilled only if specified by the prescriber at the time of writing the prescription. This is aligned with federal and state regulations that govern controlled substances to ensure patient safety and proper oversight.

When a prescriber writes a prescription for a controlled substance, they must indicate whether refills are allowed and to what extent. This requirement serves to maintain a careful balance between providing access to medications for patients who need them while also preventing misuse and abuse of potentially addictive substances.

If a prescription does not specify any refills, it generally means that the patient would need to return to the prescriber for a new prescription for each subsequent supply of the medication. This requirement is particularly critical for controlled substances due to their potential for dependency and misuse.

Other options do not align with regulatory standards. For instance, refilling a prescription of controlled substances for any quantity within a year or providing indefinite refills at the patient’s request may lead to unsafe practices and medication misuse, which the regulations aim to avoid. Furthermore, the condition regarding a recent visit to the prescriber does not determine the ability to refill; rather, it pertains to the necessity of the prescriber’s ongoing evaluation of the patient's need for the medication.