2. I’m a community pharmacist. What should I do when a user asks me to refill his opioid medication earlier than scheduled?

It’s important to find out why the user wants his medication earlier than scheduled. If he’s leaving on a trip and the refill is scheduled for when he is away, his request is legitimate.

There’s also a possibility that the user didn’t understand the prescription. So it’s important to check if he took his medication as prescribed, if he’s afraid of being in pain and is taking too much medication or, on the contrary, if he’s waiting too long, until his pain is unbearable, and then doubles or triples the dose.

You must also consider that the person might have an opioid use disorder and check the Québec Health Record to see if he consults other physicians to get medication.

Whatever the situation, the pharmacist must notify the prescribing physician about the situation and decide with him whether or not the medication can be dispensed earlier than scheduled.