Final answer:
Patients can request medication refills by contacting their pharmacy, and if necessary, the pharmacy will get a refill authorization from the doctor. Using a call, online portal, or visit, patients should request refills before the medication runs out to avoid treatment interruptions. Informed discussions with healthcare providers about prescriptions, especially antibiotics, are crucial.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a patient has no more medication left and needs a refill, they can request one by contacting the pharmacy where the initial prescription was filled. If there are no refills left on the prescription, the pharmacy will contact the prescribing doctor to obtain authorization for the additional refill. It's important for patients to monitor their medication supply and request refills before running out, ensuring there's no interruption in their treatment. The process may vary depending on healthcare providers and pharmacies, but generally, a call, online portal, or physical visit can be ways to request a refill.
Additionally, the importance of proper medication use and understanding when to use antibiotics is highlighted by the rise in parental expectations for antibiotic prescriptions seen in the provided study figure. Patients should engage in informed discussions with their healthcare providers about the need for specific medications, like antibiotics, to avoid misuse and overuse, which can lead to antibiotic resistance.