State of Emergency
On September 25, 2024, the Governor issued Executive Order No. 2024-24 declaring a State of Emergency in South Carolina. In order to facilitate disaster preparedness and response, S.C. Code Section 40-43-170 allows the following during the State of Emergency:
Out-of-State Pharmacists
A pharmacist not licensed in South Carolina but currently licensed in another state may dispense prescription medications in affected counties during the time that a state of emergency exists if:
- The pharmacist has some type of identification to verify current licensure in another state and;
- The pharmacist is engaged in a legitimate relief effort during an emergency situation.
Emergency Refills
A pharmacist may dispense a one-time emergency refill of up to a thirty-day supply of a prescribed medication if:
- The pharmacist has all prescription information necessary to accurately refill the prescription;
- In the pharmacist's professional opinion, the medication is essential to the maintenance of life or to the continuation of therapy;
- The pharmacist reduces the information to a written prescription marked "Emergency Refill,” files the prescription as required by law, and notifies the prescribing physician within 15 days of the emergency refill and;
- The prescription is not for a controlled substance.
*Pharmacists wishing to perform these services individually or on behalf of a permit holder may email the following information to the South Carolina Board of Pharmacy at Contact.Pharmacy@llr.sc.gov:
- Pharmacist’s name
- State of licensure
- License number
- Name of entity on whose behalf the pharmacist is performing emergency services (if applicable)
Additional Information
- Authorization of the above activities ends when the State of Emergency ends.
- For questions regarding controlled substances, please contact the South Carolina Department of Public Health.
- If a pharmacy computer is not working, prescriptions may be dispensed manually with labels typed or handwritten using a waterproof pen. Since printed drug information may not be available, patient counseling should clarify any questions the patient may have.