How to Refill a Prescription When the Doctor’s Closed
How to Get a Prescription Refill When Your Doctor's Office Is Closed: A Guide for Ontario Parents
Your child needs their medication, but it's the weekend and your family doctor's office is closed. Don't panic! You have several options to get that important refill, even outside regular office hours.
How it works
Getting prescription refills when your regular doctor isn't available depends on what type of medication your child needs and how urgent the situation is. For most routine medications like antibiotics or chronic condition treatments, you have a few different pathways to explore.
Start by checking if your pharmacy can help. Many pharmacists in Ontario can extend prescriptions for up to 30 days if your child has been on the medication before and it's not a controlled substance. Call your usual pharmacy first, as they'll have your child's medication history on file.
If your pharmacy can't help, consider walk-in clinics or urgent care centers. These are perfect for non-emergency prescription needs and are often open evenings and weekends. The doctor there can write a new prescription or provide a refill, especially if you bring the empty medication bottle or have photos of the prescription label on your phone.
For truly urgent medication needs, telehealth services like Arlo can connect you with a healthcare provider within minutes, even late at night or on holidays. This works especially well for straightforward refills where you can clearly explain what medication your child needs.
What you'll need
- Your child's health card
- Empty medication bottle or clear photo of the prescription label
- List of your child's current medications and doses
- Information about your child's medical condition
- Your pharmacy's contact information
When to use emergency services
If your child's medication is critical for a serious condition like asthma, diabetes, or seizures, and you can't get a refill through other means, don't hesitate to visit the emergency department. While it's not ideal, ER doctors can prescribe essential medications to bridge the gap until you can see your regular doctor.
However, emergency rooms should be your last resort for routine refills. Save this option for truly urgent situations where your child's health could be at risk without the medication.
Common questions
Can a pharmacist really give refills without a doctor? Yes, Ontario pharmacists can extend most prescriptions for up to 30 days, but they'll assess each situation individually. They can't extend controlled substances or certain specialized medications.
What if it's a new medication my child has never taken? Walk-in clinics or telehealth services are your best bet here, as these situations usually need a proper medical assessment rather than just a refill.
Will my insurance cover refills from different providers? Most Ontario drug plans will cover medically necessary prescriptions regardless of which doctor writes them, but there may be small dispensing fees.
The takeaway
A closed doctor's office doesn't mean you're stuck without options. Between pharmacist extensions, walk-in clinics, and telehealth services, you can usually get your child's medication when they need it.
You can always text Arlo and talk to a provider in 5 minutes!
References
- [Pharmacist Prescribing in Ontario](https://www.ontario.ca/page/pharmacist-prescribing)
- [When to Visit a Walk-in Clinic](https://caringforkids.cps.ca/handouts/health-care-providers)
- [Ontario Health Care Options](https://www.ontario.ca/page/find-health-care)