Florida Pharmacy Technician Certification Practice Test

What should be done with an old prescription vial when a customer requests a refill?

1. Use it again to package the refill prescription

2. Give it back to the patient for disposal

3. Toss it away with confidential waste

4. Never accept an old prescription vial

The correct answer is: Use it again to package the refill prescription

In pharmacy practice, reusing an old prescription vial for a refill is often seen as a common and acceptable practice, provided certain conditions are met. An old vial can usually be used to package a refill if it is properly washed, the label is removed, and it meets the regulatory standards in place. This practice promotes sustainability and reduces waste by minimizing the number of new vials that must be produced and used. However, it’s important to ensure that the vial's integrity is not compromised and that it is clean and suitable for re-dispensing medications. The pharmacy must also adhere to state regulations and guidelines which may dictate specific circumstances under which an old vial may be reused. Moreover, it's vital to verify that the information on the old vial matches the new prescription, as discrepancies could lead to medication errors. This approach demonstrates efficiency and consideration for both the customer and the environment by reducing unnecessary waste. In contrast, the other options have particular issues: returning vials for disposal does not educate customers on proper disposal methods, while tossing them away with confidential waste may not align with the best practices for environmental consideration. Not accepting old vials entirely could lead to unnecessary waste and does not leverage the opportunity to reduce repeat dispensing supplies.