How is days’ supply defined?

• A. The number of days the prescription will last based on the amount dispensed and the daily dose.
• B. The number of days until the prescription expires.
• C. The number of days the patient will refill.
• D. The number of days between doctor visits.

Answer: (A)

Days’ supply tells you how long a prescription will last given how much medication was dispensed and the patient’s daily dose. It’s calculated by taking the total quantity dispensed and dividing it by the number of units the patient takes per day. For example, 60 tablets dispensed with a daily dose of 1 tablet equals 60 days of supply; if the dose is 2 tablets per day, that becomes 30 days. This concept helps determine when a refill is due and manage inventory. It is not about how long a prescription expires, how many days the patient will refill, or the interval between doctor visits.