How many refills are allowed for CIII and CIV prescriptions before requiring a new prescription?

For prescriptions classified as Schedule III (CIII) and Schedule IV (CIV) controlled substances, federal law permits a maximum of five refills within a six-month period from the date the prescription was issued. This means that patients can receive their prescribed medication multiple times without needing a new prescription each time, provided they stay within the limits set by law.

Upon reaching the limit of five refills or after six months have passed since the prescription was originally written, a new prescription must be obtained from the prescribing healthcare provider. This regulation ensures proper monitoring of controlled substances and helps prevent misuse while still allowing patients reasonable access to their medications.

Understanding the refill limits is crucial for pharmacy practice since it impacts patient care and adherence to regulatory requirements. Other options, suggestively referring to lower numbers or none at all for refills, do not align with established regulations governing the dispensing of controlled substances and therefore are incorrect in the context of this question.