Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Prescriptions are medical documents that allow patients to access prescription medications. However, many people do not realize that there are many types of prescriptions, which differ in their validity period. In this article, we will look at how long prescriptions and e-prescriptions are valid, and what to do if your prescription has expired.
E-prescription and paper version of the prescription
A traditional paper prescription and a modern e-prescription differ not only in form, but also in validity period. A paper prescription is usually valid for a set period of time, while an e-prescription may have different expiry dates depending on the medicine prescribed. It is always worth checking how long a specific e-prescription is valid to avoid problems with its implementation.
Prescriptions valid for 30 days
Most prescriptions are valid for 30 days from the date of issue. This means that the patient has one month to fill the prescription from the moment he receives it. After this time, the prescription becomes invalid and the medicine can no longer be prescribed on its basis.
Prescriptions valid for 7 days
In some cases, especially when prescribing psychotropic drugs, prescriptions may only be valid for 7 days. This is due to strict regulations regarding access to this type of medicines. If the patient does not fill such a prescription within a week, he or she will need to consult a doctor and receive a new one.
Prescriptions valid for 120 and 365 days
Fortunately, not all prescriptions expire after a short period of time. There are prescriptions that are valid for longer periods, for example 120 or even 365 days. This applies primarily to drugs used to treat chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension. A longer prescription validity period makes it easier for patients to regularly obtain the medicines they need.
What to do if your prescription has expired?
If the prescription has expired, it cannot be filled at the pharmacist. In this case, you need to consult your doctor again and get a new prescription. It is important not to delay this step, especially when it comes to medicines that are necessary for the patient’s health or life.
Your suggestions
To avoid problems related to the validity of prescriptions, it is always worth reading the expiry date on the prescription carefully and checking how much time we have to fill it. If we are chronically ill, it is worth consulting a doctor to obtain a prescription for a longer period of time, which will facilitate regular supply of medications.
Recommended articles
If you are interested in more information about prescriptions and e-prescriptions, we recommend reading the following articles:
– “Benefits and disadvantages of e-prescription – what is worth knowing” – “What medications can be prescribed on e-prescription?” – “Expired medicines – what to do with them?”
It is worth being well informed on this subject to ensure yourselves and your loved ones’ safety and appropriate medical care.