A prescription is only valid for one year from the day the provider ordered it. This means a prescription, with refills remaining, will not be refillable after one year. Renewals occur when a prescription has no refills left, or has expired, and the patient needs to continue taking the medication.

Refill – When you are prescribed a medication, the provider will specify how many routine refills are allowable. When the number of refills run out, the prescription must be renewed. Renewal – If there are no more refills left, you may need a prescription renewal.

A refill is something that comes with your prescription and, basically, is a way to get a fresh batch of medicine. The renewal is a different matter entirely. Renewals come after the pharmacy gives you your last refill.

When you run out of medication refills for a maintenance medication that your prescriber has authorized, you’ll need to get a prescription renewal. This is, in essence, a new prescription for the same medication.