(a) A prescription for a dangerous drug or dangerous device may be refilled without the prescriber’s authorization if the prescriber is unavailable to authorize the refill and if, in the pharmacist’s professional judgment, failure to refill the prescription might interrupt the patient’s ongoing care and have a significant adverse effect on the patient’s well-being.

(b) The pharmacist shall inform the patient that the prescription was refilled pursuant to this section.

(c) The pharmacist shall inform the prescriber within a reasonable period of time of any refills dispensed pursuant to this section.

(d) Prior to refilling a prescription pursuant to this section, the pharmacist shall make every reasonable effort to contact the prescriber. The pharmacist shall make an appropriate record, including the basis for proceeding under this section.

(e) The prescriber shall not incur any liability as the result of a refilling of a prescription pursuant to this section.

(f) Notwithstanding Section 4060 or any other law, a person may possess a dangerous drug or dangerous device furnished without prescription pursuant to this section.

(g) During a proclaimed state of emergency, nothing in either this section or any other provision of this chapter prohibits a pharmacist, a clinic licensed under Section 4180, or a mobile pharmacy or clinic described in subdivision (c) of Section 4062 from refilling a prescription if the prescriber is unavailable, or if after a reasonable effort has been made, the pharmacist, clinic, or mobile pharmacy is unable to contact the prescriber.

(Amended by Stats. 2018, Ch. 716, Sec. 3. (AB 2576) Effective January 1, 2019.)