Under federal law, if a prescriber retires and has not surrendered license/DEA, what happens to remaining refills?

• A. Yes
• B. No
• C. Only with board approval
• D. Not specified

Answer: (B)

Retirement by itself does not automatically void remaining refills. As long as the prescriber still holds an active DEA registration and license, and the prescription is still within its allowed refill period, the remaining refills may be dispensed. For controlled substances, keep in mind the standard limits: CIII-V can be refilled up to five times within six months from the date written; CIIs cannot be refilled. If the prescriber surrenders their license/DEA, or the prescription has expired or exceeded its refill limit, the refills would not be allowed.