A pharmacist may give an emergency refill of a prescription drug without the prescriber’s authorization if the stated conditions are met.
Sec. 562.054. EMERGENCY REFILLS. (a) A pharmacist may exercise the pharmacist's professional judgment in refilling a prescription for a prescription drug, other than a controlled substance listed in Schedule II as established by the commissioner of state health services under Chapter 481, Health and Safety Code, without the authorization of the prescribing practitioner if: (1) failure to refill the prescription might result in an interruption of a therapeutic regimen or create patient suffering; (2) either: (A) a natural or manmade disaster has occurred that prohibits the pharmacist from being able to contact the practitioner; or (B) the pharmacist is unable to contact the practitioner after reasonable effort; (3) the quantity of prescription drug dispensed does not exceed a 72-hour supply; (4) the pharmacist informs the patient or the patient's agent at the time of dispensing that the refill is being provided without the practitioner's authorization and that authorization of the practitioner is required for a future refill; and (5) the pharmacist informs the practitioner of the emergency refill at the earliest reasonable time. (b) Notwithstanding Subsection (a), in the event of a natural or manmade disaster, a pharmacist may dispense not more than a 30-day supply of a prescription drug, other than a controlled substance listed in Schedule II as established by the commissioner of state health services under Chapter 481, Health and Safety Code, without the authorization of the prescribing practitioner if: (1) failure to refill the prescription might result in an interruption of a therapeutic regimen or create patient suffering; (2) the natural or manmade disaster prohibits the pharmacist from being able to contact the practitioner; (3) the governor has declared a state of disaster under Chapter 418, Government Code; and (4) the board, through the executive director, has notified pharmacies in this state that pharmacists may dispense up to a 30-day supply of a prescription drug. (c) The prescribing practitioner is not liable for an act or omission by a pharmacist in dispensing a prescription drug under Subsection (b). Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 388, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999. Amended by: Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 567 (S.B. 1658), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2007.