How long is a prescription valid if it is partially filled for long-term care or terminally ill patients?

In the context of prescriptions for long-term care or terminally ill patients, federal regulations allow for partial fills of prescriptions, which can extend the validity period beyond standard practices. Specifically, a prescription for a Schedule II controlled substance (CS) that is partially filled for these patients is valid for a total of 60 days from the date it was issued. This accommodates the unique needs of patients who may not require a full supply of medication at once due to their circumstances, allowing pharmacists to dispense the medication in smaller quantities as needed. This approach ensures that patients have access to their necessary medications while managing their treatment plans in a way that minimizes waste.

The other choices involve durations that do not align with the regulations concerning the partial filling of prescriptions in these specific cases. While 30 days, 90 days, and 120 days may pertain to other prescribing situations or controlled substance regulations, they do not reflect the established validity period for partially filled prescriptions for long-term care or terminally ill patients, which is definitively set at 60 days.