Under what circumstances is a Pharmacist required to counsel on refills?

A pharmacist is required to counsel on refills when deemed necessary by their professional judgment. This means that while it is good practice to offer counseling on each refill, it is not mandated for every situation. The pharmacist must consider various factors, such as changes in the patient’s health, new medications added to their regimen, alterations in dosage or administration, or any concerns the patient might express. By assessing these elements, the pharmacist can determine whether additional counseling is appropriate to ensure the patient understands their medication therapy and any potential issues that could arise.

In some cases, for example, a patient may have been stable on a medication for an extended period, and the pharmacist might feel that a discussion on a refill is unnecessary. Conversely, if there are changes to the patient's health status or new drug interactions to consider, counseling would be warranted. This approach allows for a tailored, patient-centered practice, focusing on individual need rather than a blanket requirement for counseling on every refill.