If a pharmacy is out of stock, how many hours do you have to refill the remainder?

• A. 24 hours
• B. 48 hours
• C. 72 hours
• D. 96 hours

Answer: (C)

When a pharmacy runs out of stock on a prescription, there’s a short-term safety mechanism that lets the patient keep taking the medication while the rest is arranged. The standard emergency-fill window is 72 hours. So the pharmacist can provide a temporary supply to bridge the gap for up to three days, and the remaining quantity is filled once the drug is back in stock or the prescriber updates the prescription. This 72-hour rule helps maintain continuity of therapy while still relying on the prescriber’s authorization or the store’s restock.