If you have an ongoing or chronic medical condition, you need to be able to refill prescriptions to manage your symptoms. However, when your doctor writes a prescription, even if refills are authorized, there’s a time limit on collecting them. This deadline sneaks up on many patients, and it’s common to find yourself standing at the pharmacy window with an expired prescription. If this happens to you, don’t panic! There are steps you can take to make sure you get your necessary medication.

What to Do When Your Prescription Expires

Talk to the Pharmacist

First, ask whether this pharmacy offers a short-term emergency supply of your medication. While not every medication qualifies, there are programs that allow you to get just a few days’ worth of important medications—long enough to find a more lasting solution. If you rely on a life-saving medication or if your medication causes withdrawal symptoms when stopped suddenly, it’s likely you qualify to refill prescriptions this way.

Talk to Your Doctor

If your doctor’s office is open, they may authorize a refill on the spot if you call them and ask. Your doctor has some discretion to use their best judgment in these situations, so they may authorize the refill if they are familiar with your case or if you already have an appointment coming up to renew the prescription.

Make an Appointment

If you don’t have an appointment scheduled, set one up now. A prescription renewal is different from a refill; it requires you to actually meet with your doctor, discuss any changes in your condition, and make decisions about your ongoing care. This meeting will allow your doctor to either adjust your prescription or renew it as-is, providing you with another round of refills.

If you need to refill prescriptions, Anderson Pharmacy on N Reading Rd in Denver, PA, is a locally owned pharmacy that will fulfill all your needs. For over 30 years, they have provided compassionate, customized care to the area’s patients, especially those managing chronic health conditions. For any questions, call them at (717) 484-2649 or reach out online.