What happens to the doctor-patient relationship when the physician dies in relation to prescriptions?

• A. There is no longer a doctor-patient relationship so prescriptions cannot be filled
• B. There is still a doctor-patient relationship so prescriptions can be filled
• C. Prescriptions must be referred to a new doctor within 30 days
• D. Pharmacists may continue dispensing as before

Answer: (A)

When a physician dies, the doctor-patient relationship ends because there is no longer a practicing clinician to oversee care or issue prescriptions. A prescription is a directive from a licensed prescriber, so once that prescriber is no longer available, their orders lose legal authority. For ongoing treatment, the patient needs to establish care with a new physician who can evaluate the situation and issue fresh prescriptions if appropriate. Pharmacists dispense based on current, valid orders from an authorized prescriber, not on the deceased physician’s past instructions. That’s why this situation means there’s no active doctor-patient relationship that supports filling prescriptions from that doctor.