In a group of five pharmacies, if a schedule III drug is in short supply and unavailable from primary or secondary wholesalers, how should you fulfill the prescription?

• A. One pharmacy in the group has the drug and transfers it via invoice
• B. The patient cannot be served
• C. The prescription is filled only after contacting the manufacturer
• D. Use an alternative medication outside the group

Answer: (B)

When a Schedule III drug is in short supply and cannot be obtained from wholesalers, the pharmacy must not dispense something it cannot legally source. In a group of pharmacies, you would first check stock across the network and with authorized suppliers; if none can provide the drug, there is no lawful way to fulfill the prescription. The prescriber can be contacted to discuss a therapeutic alternative or a backorder if available, but without a supply or an authorized substitution, the patient cannot be served at that time. This underscores the importance of having a reliable supply chain for controlled substances and following proper channels for substitutions or alternatives when shortages occur.