Which statement about notifications when discontinuing a pharmacy is accurate?

• A. Board notification deadline is 30 days; patient notification is 15 days.
• B. Board notification deadline is 15 days; patient notification is 30 days.
• C. Board notification deadline is 60 days; patient notification is 15 days.
• D. Board notification deadline is 30 days; patient notification is 15 days.

Answer: (D)

When a pharmacy is discontinuing, the timing of both board and patient notifications is about protecting public safety and ensuring a smooth transition for those served. The board needs to be informed within 30 days so regulators can properly close licenses, handle inventory and records, and oversee any required steps to wind down operations. Patients who rely on the pharmacy should be told at least 15 days before closing so they have time to transfer prescriptions, obtain necessary records, and arrange continuing care with another pharmacy.

The other timeframes don’t align with this process: notifying the board sooner than 30 days isn’t typically required and can be unnecessarily hasty for regulatory handling, while extending patient notice beyond 15 days can create avoidable disruption for ongoing therapy.