What must a pharmacist verify before refilling a controlled substance prescription?

Before refilling a controlled substance prescription, it is crucial for a pharmacist to verify the patient's health status and need for the medication. This step ensures that the medication remains appropriate for the patient, especially considering that controlled substances can have a high potential for abuse and dependency.

Monitoring the patient's health status helps the pharmacist evaluate if the prescription is still relevant, if there have been any changes in the patient's condition that could affect the appropriateness of the medication, or if there are concerns about potential drug interactions. This verification aligns with the responsibility of pharmacists to ensure patient safety and promotes appropriate therapeutic use of controlled substances.

Reviewing aspects like insurance information, drug availability, and prescriber office hours, while important for pharmacy operations, do not address the clinical responsibility of the pharmacist regarding the patient's ongoing treatment with a controlled substance. The focus on the patient's health and medication need is paramount in the context of controlled substances.