Rhode Island Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence (MPJE) Practice Exam

What happens if a prescription is written before a prescriber loses their license and has refills remaining?

1. It is invalid

2. It is valid for up to 30 days

3. It is valid for up to 60 days

4. It is valid for up to 90 days

The correct answer is: It is valid for up to 90 days

A prescription that is written before the prescriber loses their license remains valid for a certain period, which allows patients to continue their medication without disruption, assuming that the prescription meets necessary regulatory criteria. In Rhode Island, if a prescription has been issued while the prescriber was still authorized to practice, it retains its validity even after the prescriber's license is revoked or expires, but only for a limited duration. The law typically permits such prescriptions to be filled or refilled for up to a specific period—90 days in this case—as long as the prescription was filled prior to the prescriber's loss of licensure. This timeframe ensures that patients have sufficient time to find an alternative provider or manage their medication needs without immediate pressure. Understanding this aspect is critical for pharmacy professionals, as it influences how they manage prescriptions and patient care when regulatory changes or concerns regarding a prescriber’s status arise.