Final answer:
A local pharmacy must ensure a valid patient-provider relationship and compliance with state laws before filling a prescription for Viagra. Simply submitting information online doesn't establish the required standard of care, and telemedicine protocols must be followed legally.
Step-by-step explanation:
The responsibility of the local pharmacy is to ensure that any prescription they fill out is both valid and issued by a legitimate, licensed physician who has made an adequate assessment of the patient’s medical needs. On the question of whether a pharmacy should fill a prescription for Viagra, simply having an online questionnaire, submitting an at-home blood pressure reading, reviewing home medications for drug interactions, or providing a toll-free number is not by itself sufficient to establish the standard of care necessary. Prudent practice would involve the prescriber conducting a proper assessment of the patient, potentially including telemedicine consultations where appropriate and legal.
Regulatory standards vary from state to state, and it is essential for the pharmacist and elderly patient to comply with their state's specific pharmacy laws. The prescriber should hold a valid license in the state where the patient resides, and in the case of telemedicine, appropriate protocols must be followed to establish a valid patient-provider relationship. Overall, the decision to fill the prescription depends on the legitimacy of the electronic prescription, the legal standing of the telemedicine consultation, and the pharmacists' professional judgment in compliance with applicable laws.