To protect yourself from medication errors, it’s best to use one pharmacy for all of your prescriptions. Sometimes it’s not possible to use the same pharmacy. If your pharmacy is closed, you are out of your medication, or there is an emergency, you may need to transfer your prescription to pick it up at another pharmacy.
Certain controlled substance prescriptions cannot be transferred. If your prescription is a Schedule II Controlled Substance and you need to get it at a different pharmacy, you will have to contact the doctor or provider who prescribed you the medication. Other scheduled controlled substances may have rules that limit or prohibit their transfer. These medications may also require a new prescription from your doctor or provider.
Try to transfer your prescription before you run out. Transferring a prescription can take a few days. By planning ahead, you can avoid running out of medication.
How to Transfer a Prescription
1. Reach out to the new pharmacy. Some pharmacies offer online services for prescription transfers. You can also call or visit the pharmacy where you want to transfer the prescription.
2. Set up a profile. To fill your prescription, your pharmacy will need some information about you. This includes your:
- Full name
- Date of birth
- Address
- Phone number
- Insurance information (if you have insurance)
- Allergies
- Medication history
If you move or change your phone number, it’s important to always update your pharmacy with your new information. This lets your pharmacy contact you with important information if they need to.
3. Provide your prescription information. Your new pharmacy will need information about your prescription. Your prescription bottle will have all of the information your new pharmacy will need. This includes:
- Your prescription number (if you have it).
- Name of the medication.
- Who prescribed the medication.
- Information about the pharmacy where the prescription was originally filled.
One easy way to get your prescription information to your new pharmacy is to bring your prescription bottles to your new pharmacy. Once your new pharmacy has all the information they need, they will contact your original pharmacy to request the transfer. If there are no refills left or if the medication is a controlled substance, they may contact your prescriber for a new prescription.
4. Check that your prescription has been transferred. You will get a message from your new pharmacy that your prescription has been transferred. If you don’t get a message from your new pharmacy within three business days, call them to check on the status of your transfer.
5. Pick up your prescription. Once you have confirmed that your prescription has been transferred, you can pick up your prescription at your new pharmacy. When you pick up your transferred prescription, check the prescription to make sure all of the information is correct. Your new pharmacy may use a different manufacturer for your medication, so your medication may be a different color, shape or size. If you're unsure, before you take it, check with your pharmacist.