When a medication is Out of Stock (OOS), which action is recommended?

When a medication is Out of Stock (OOS), which action is recommended?

• A. Immediately cancel the prescription
• B. Order the medication for tomorrow or call other stores to check availability
• C. Do nothing and inform patient later
• D. Change to a substitute medication without approval

Answer: (B)

When a medication is out of stock, the goal is to keep the patient’s therapy on track by quickly locating a supply. The best action is to check other Walgreens stores or place an order to have the medication available tomorrow. This approach minimizes delays, demonstrates proactive problem solving, and maintains trust with the patient by showing you’re taking concrete steps to get their medicine. It also respects proper workflow, since canceling the prescription immediately, doing nothing, or changing to a substitute without approval could disrupt treatment, violate policy, or affect insurance coverage. If a substitute is considered, it should be done only with the patient’s and, when required, the prescriber’s authorization.

When a medication is out of stock, the goal is to keep the patient’s therapy on track by quickly locating a supply. The best action is to check other Walgreens stores or place an order to have the medication available tomorrow. This approach minimizes delays, demonstrates proactive problem solving, and maintains trust with the patient by showing you’re taking concrete steps to get their medicine. It also respects proper workflow, since canceling the prescription immediately, doing nothing, or changing to a substitute without approval could disrupt treatment, violate policy, or affect insurance coverage. If a substitute is considered, it should be done only with the patient’s and, when required, the prescriber’s authorization.