If a patient requests a refill for a hydrocodone/acetaminophen prescription, what action should the pharmacy technician take?

When a patient requests a refill for a hydrocodone/acetaminophen prescription, the most appropriate action is to ask the patient for a new handwritten prescription. This is due to the fact that hydrocodone is a controlled substance, and federal regulations require that prescriptions for controlled substances be issued by a prescriber and cannot be refilled without an updated prescription.

Pharmacies are limited in their ability to refill prescriptions for controlled substances like hydrocodone. Therefore, obtaining a new handwritten prescription ensures compliance with legal requirements and guarantees that the patient has the appropriate authorization from their healthcare provider.

Filling a refill on the existing prescription without a new authorization could lead to regulatory issues and jeopardize patient safety and pharmacy practice standards. Additionally, contacting the prescriber for a refill request is a proper procedure, but it typically follows the receipt of a new prescription rather than as a first response. Emergency refills are typically reserved for non-controlled substances in urgent situations, further solidifying the need for a new prescription in this case.