DEAR DR. GOTT: Why would two doctors write a “no refill” prescription that was the same except for the number of days the prescription was to last?
The first prescription (written in hospital by a resident) was for 30 tablets with a dosage of one to two tablets every four to six hours, as needed for pain. It was written for four days. The prescription could not be refilled before the four days were up even though the two highest dosages would use up the tablets in fewer than four days.
The second prescription (written after discharge by a private practice physician) had the same number of tablets and the same dosage but was written for two days and, therefore, could be refilled before the prescription ran out no matter which dosage to be used.
[Read more...]