What states allow pharmacists to refuse to fill prescriptions?
Asked by: Audreanne Murazik | Last update: June 27, 2025Score: 4.4/5 (54 votes)
What can you do if the pharmacy refuses to fill a prescription?
Patients whose prescriptions are refused have several options, including requesting another pharmacist at the same store to fill it, taking their prescription to another pharmacy, or filing complaints against the pharmacist or pharmacy if they feel wronged.
What is the refusal clause for pharmacists?
In California, pharmacists generally have a duty to dispense prescription drugs and devices, but they may refuse to dispense a drug or device, including a contraceptive, on ethical, moral, or religious grounds.
Does Walgreens allow pharmacists to deny prescriptions?
Eight states have laws that require pharmacists to provide care, despite objections: California, Nevada, Washington, Wisconsin, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts and New Jersey. Seven states allow pharmacists to deny the prescription but require them to refer patients to another pharmacy.
Can a pharmacist refuse to fill a prescription for religious reasons?
Conscience Clause and Right to Refuse Prescriptions
In some states, the "conscience clause" gives medical professionals, including pharmacists, the right to refuse abortion services, including emergency contraception, based on moral or religious values.
VERIFY: Is prescription denial illegal?
Can you sue a pharmacist for not filling a prescription?
If you are attempting to fill a prescription but it isn't done—for whatever reason—and this causes you harm, you may be entitled to file a lawsuit. An experienced medical malpractice and personal injury lawyer can assist you with this.
What states have conscience clauses?
Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Maine, Mississippi, South Dakota, Tennessee, and Washington have all enacted conscience clause laws, while other states have adopted a patchwork of different approaches.
Can a pharmacist override a doctor's prescription?
Can a pharmacist change prescriptions? In most cases, a pharmacist must follow the doctor's exact prescription, but there are a few exceptions. If the pharmacist finds interactions, dosing instructions, or other factors preventing the medication from working, a change may be necessary.
What is the 28 day rule at Walgreens?
It refers to the number of days you may need to wait between refills of 30-day prescriptions that are considered controlled substances. If you have a medication that follows the 28-day rule on a 30-day supply, it means you can get a refill no earlier than 2 days before the 30 days are up.
What is the controversy with Walgreens pharmacy?
The government's complaint alleges that, from approximately August 2012 through the present, Walgreens knowingly filled millions of prescriptions for controlled substances that lacked a legitimate medical purpose, were not valid, and/or were not issued in the usual course of professional practice.
What is the no refusal law?
The No Refusal process is simple. Once an officer determines that there is probable cause for a DUI arrest and the suspect refuses to submit to a breath test, the prosecutor assigned to the effort will review the case and Page 2 make a warrant application to an on-call judge.
Can a pharmacist refuse to fill a prescription in NY?
A PHARMACY RECEIVING AND FILLING PRESCRIPTIONS SHALL MAINTAIN COMPLIANCE WITH THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS: (A) IF A PRODUCT IS IN STOCK AND A PHARMACIST EMPLOYED BY A PHARMACY REFUSES ON THE BASIS OF A PERSONAL BELIEF TO FILL A VALID PRESCRIPTION FOR SUCH PRODUCT, THE PHARMACY ENSURES, SUBJECT TO THE CONSENT OF THE ...
What is the pharmacy kickback law?
The AKS is a criminal law that prohibits the knowing and willful payment of "remuneration" to induce or reward patient referrals or the generation of business involving any item or service payable by the Federal health care programs (e.g., drugs, supplies, or health care services for Medicare or Medicaid patients).
Can Walmart pharmacy refuse to fill a prescription?
Individual Walmart pharmacists may refuse to fill a particular prescription of concern (known as a “refusal to fill” or “RTF”), based on the presence of certain unresolved “red flags” (warning signs that a prescription might not be for a legitimate medical purpose) or combinations of unresolved red flags.
Can a pharmacy red flag you?
Pharmacists must be alert for “red flags”
The patient presents prescriptions written for other people. Multiple patients appear simultaneously, or within a short time, all presenting similar prescriptions from the same physician.
What to do if the pharmacy refuses to fill a prescription?
What can you do? If a pharmacist refuses a prescription — like misoprostol to end a pregnancy — for moral or religious reasons, consider talking with another pharmacist at the same pharmacy. You can also try transferring your prescription to another pharmacy to be filled, although this can add some inconvenience.
What may cause a refill too soon rejection?
“Refill too soon” rejections happen because a person is trying to get their medication before the payer thinks it's due. In some cases, the pharmacist can obtain a “refill too soon override” for these rejections.
What schedule drug is not able to be refilled?
In general, schedule II controlled substance prescriptions cannot be refilled and expire after 6 months. Schedule III or IV prescriptions may not be filled or refilled more than 6 months after the written date OR refilled more than 5 times, whichever comes first.
Who knows more about drugs, doctors or pharmacists?
Pharmacists are often referred to as the medication experts, and for good reason. Their extensive knowledge of medications, drug interactions, dosage forms, and side effects makes them invaluable in ensuring patient safety and optimizing treatment outcomes.
What can a pharmacist do that a doctor Cannot?
Pharmacists also provide other services, such as vaccinations, emergency contraception, and screenings for blood pressure, cholesterol, or blood sugar. Pharmacists cannot prescribe antibiotics or other prescription medications to people. They will also not be able to provide a diagnosis.
What is a pharmacy override?
A prescription override is a request to have a prescription filled for more than a 30 day supply. Who is eligible for the override? Overrides can be requested by a student traveling outside of the United States for more than a 30 day period.
What is the coats snow amendment?
Public Health Service Act § 245 (The Coats-Snowe Amendment)
Refuses to require or provide abortion training; Refuses to perform abortions, or to provide referrals for abortion training or for abortions; Refuses to make arrangements for any of the above activities related to abortion; or.
Does the pharmacist have a right to refuse to dispense the drug?
Just say “No.” A pharmacist has a right and responsibility to deny a prescription if it does not seem legitimate. First, check CURES then call the prescriber, but don't rely on the number on the prescription form as it could be phony.
What states have end of life laws?
That is euthanasia, which is illegal in the U.S. With physician-assisted death, which is legal in 10 U.S. states (Maine, New Jersey, Vermont, New Mexico, Montana, Colorado, Oregon, Washington, California, and Hawaii) and Washington, D.C., the physician consults with the patient and prescribes the medication; however, ...