What must a patient do with refills and new prescriptions in Ohio when the pharmacy is closed?

In Ohio, when a pharmacy is closed, the appropriate action for a patient regarding refills and new prescriptions is to place them in a secure area that is accessible only to a pharmacist. This approach ensures that the prescriptions are safely stored and protected until the pharmacy reopens and a pharmacist can review and dispense them appropriately.

The focus on a secure area highlights the importance of maintaining confidentiality and safeguarding medications. It prevents unauthorized access and ensures that prescriptions are handled according to regulatory requirements, which is essential for patient safety and compliance with the law.

Other options would compromise safety, security, or privacy. For example, dropping prescriptions in a public area could lead to loss or misuse of the information, while leaving them with a customer service representative may not guarantee that they reach a pharmacist securely or are addressed in the proper time frame. Similarly, handing them directly to a pharmacy technician may not be appropriate if the pharmacy is not operating normally and could disrupt standard operating procedures.