Final answer:
A CIII-CIV prescription can be refilled up to 5 times within 6 months. This regulation helps balance medication access and control over substance misuse and diversion.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer to the question of how many refills a CIII-CIV prescription can have is: b) 5 refills within 6 months.
In the United States, controlled substances are classified into schedules based on their potential for abuse and dependence. Schedule III and IV drugs (CIII-CIV), such as certain prescription medications that have accepted medical uses and a lower potential for abuse relative to substances in Schedules I and II, are allowed a specific refill policy.
According to the Controlled Substances Act regulation, a CIII-CIV prescription may be refilled up to five times within six months after the date of the prescription. After five refills or six months, whichever comes first, a new prescription is required. This regulation is designed to balance the need for patient access to medication with a constraint on potential misuse and diversion of controlled substances.