Legal basis: RA 5921, Article IV, Section 30
- Article IV, Section 30 of Republic Act No. 5921 governs who may fill or compound prescriptions and the rules for refilling.
- Article IV, Section 30 of Republic Act No. 5921 requires pharmacist control over both filling/compounding and the quality standards of prescribed components.
- Article IV, Section 30 of Republic Act No. 5921 restricts prescription refilling to cases with an express order from the prescriber.
- Republic Act No. 5921 provides penalties for violations of the pharmacist requirements in Article IV, Section 30.
Policy and public-health purpose
- The circular is issued in the interest of public health and safety.
- The circular is issued to comply with Article IV, Section 30 of Republic Act No. 5921.
- Licensed drug establishments and outlets are reminded to dispense prescription drugs with correct prescription.
Rules on prescription filling and compounding
- Article IV, Section 30 of Republic Act No. 5921 provides that no prescription shall be filled or compounded except by a registered pharmacist in the employ of the drugstore or pharmacy.
- The pharmacist who fills or compounds must ensure that every component of the prescription called for meets the standard of purity and quality given in the standard references.
- Pharmaceutical internship students may assist the pharmacist in compounding and dispensing the prescription called for.
Prohibition and restriction on refilling
- Article IV, Section 30 of Republic Act No. 5921 prohibits refilling unless there is express order of the person prescribing.
- A prescription shall not be refilled without that express order from the prescriber.
Penalties for violating the pharmacist requirements
- Republic Act No. 5921 imposes, upon conviction, a fine of not less than PHP 100 but not exceeding PHP 500 for violations of Article IV, Section 30.
- Republic Act No. 5921 also imposes, upon conviction, imprisonment of not less than 30 days but not more than 4 months, in the discretion of the court.
- The penalties apply to the pharmacist who violates the requirements on filling/compounding and refilling.
Who must comply and what establishments must do
- The circular applies to all licensed drug establishments and outlets.
- Licensed drug establishments and outlets must dispense prescription drugs with correct prescription.
- Licensed drug establishments and outlets must ensure compliance with the requirement that prescriptions are filled/compounded only by a registered pharmacist in the employ of the establishment.
- Licensed drug establishments and outlets must enforce the rule that no refilling occurs without the prescriber’s express order.