If a prescription is originally filled on December 1, 2013, and it has refills, what is the earliest refill date allowed?

The scenario of refilling a prescription involves understanding the regulations governing medication dispensing, especially in terms of refill timelines. When a prescription is filled, it starts a countdown based on the scheduling category of the drug.

In this case, if a prescription was filled on December 1, 2013, the earliest refill date is typically determined by the type of medication and applicable laws regarding refills. For most prescriptions that are not controlled substances, the general rule is that the earliest a refill can occur is after a period of time that allows for continuity in therapy, often set at the discretion of the prescribing physician but is often aligned with the quantity prescribed.

When considering the correct answer, December 1, 2019, would fall under standard regulations allowing a refill after a set duration that surpasses the six-year mark from the original fill date. This timing is particularly relevant if the refills were authorized for long-term use and align with patient management practices in medication refilling.

Other options do not appropriately reflect the rules. For instance, January 2, 2014, is far too soon after the initial fill for a refill to be permitted based on typical usage, while dates in June 2019 and January 2020 also do not fit