Final answer:
In case a transferred prescription is not dispensed, the pharmacy should follow its policies and the law to handle it properly by maintaining records, contacting the patient, and dealing with unclaimed medications appropriately.
Step-by-step explanation:
If a transferred prescription is not dispensed within a reasonable time, it should be managed according to the pharmacy's policies and the relevant legal requirements. In general, the pharmacy is responsible for maintaining proper records of transferred prescriptions whether they are filled or not. The rationale behind this is to ensure that there is a clear record of where the prescription is at all times, to prevent duplication, and to ensure compliance with regulations regarding controlled substances. If the dispensed prescription is not picked up, the pharmacy might attempt to contact the patient to remind them, and after a certain period, the medication could be returned to stock if it is not a controlled medication and is still within an appropriate period for use. For controlled substances, there are specific regulations that must be followed for disposing of medications that are not picked up.