What is the difference between a medication refill and a medication renewal?
A medication REFILL is a prescription that has a limited number of pills dispensed at one time. Typically, when your Provider writes a new medication prescription that you need to take over a long period of time such as; blood pressure or cholesterol medicine, you are given refills. For example, if you get a prescription that has 90 days worth of medicine (e.g. pills) and you have 2 refills listed on the bottle. The initial set of 90 pills will be dispensed first, but to obtain the next 90 pills, you need to call the Pharmacy refill line at 1-800 248-6337. This number is also listed on the pill bottle. You should do this when you are within 2 weeks of being out the first set of pills. Refills expire within 1 year from the date they are written and although you may still have unused refills, you must contact your Provider to have the prescription renewed. * Note: certain medications such as narcotics or controlled substances expire 6 months from the date prescribed. A medication RENEWAL
