# prescription refill expiration

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prescription-refill-expiration/220349>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [December 21, 2003, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prescription-refill-expiration/220349 "2003-12-21T19:04:29Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Headcoat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6bbea6/32.png) [@Headcoat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Headcoat)\
**Post date:** [December 21, 2003, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prescription-refill-expiration/220349/1 "2003-12-21T19:04:29Z")

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I have a prescription which I forgot to get a refill (“refillable 1 time(s) before 12-17-03”). This was originally prescribed to me way back in June, with 3 open refills, so I don’t want to hassle my doc to get it renewed.

Will the pharmacy refill it?

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**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\
**Post date:** [December 21, 2003, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prescription-refill-expiration/220349/2 "2003-12-21T19:08:05Z")

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No, they will call your doctor for a new prescription.

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**Author:** ![CrazyCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dfb087/32.png) [@CrazyCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrazyCatLady)\
**Post date:** [December 21, 2003, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prescription-refill-expiration/220349/3 "2003-12-21T19:48:34Z")

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Your prescription was only valid up to that date. Without a valid prescription, they can’t dispense the medication to you. Depending on the drug and what it was prescribed for, it may be as simple as calling the office and having him okay the refill or it may involve an office visit.

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**Author:** ![spingears](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ebca7d/32.png) [@spingears](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spingears)\
**Post date:** [December 21, 2003, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prescription-refill-expiration/220349/4 "2003-12-21T20:42:20Z")

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Take or call in the prescription to the pharmacist for a refill.  
He will contact the MD for authorization and notify you to pick it up, OR to make an office visit is MD deems it necessary.