Running out of prescription refills does not mean you need to start your SimplePills order from the beginning again.
We already have your patient information, previous prescription information, and prescriber information on file. The main thing we need is a new prescription that allows us to continue dispensing the medication.
How do we know when a new prescription is needed?
When you place a refill, we review the prescription we have on file.
If the prescription is still valid and has refills remaining, the order can continue through the normal pharmacy process.
If the prescription has expired or there are no refills remaining, we need a renewed prescription before we can dispense the medication.
We can usually request the renewal for you
In many cases, you do not need to start by calling your prescriber yourself.
Because we already have your prescriber's information on file, we can send a renewal request to the prescriber's office on your behalf.
Once the request is sent, the next step depends on the prescriber's office. They may send the renewed prescription directly to us, or they may need to speak with you first.
Sometimes your prescriber may need something from you
A prescriber may decide that they need to review your treatment before issuing another prescription.
For example, they may want you to schedule an appointment, complete follow-up, or contact their office before they will renew the prescription.
If that happens, we will let you know so you can follow up directly with the prescriber.
Once the renewed prescription is received, we can continue processing your refill.
What happens while we are waiting?
While we are waiting for a renewed prescription, the refill cannot be dispensed yet.
We will continue watching for the prescription and move the refill forward once it arrives.
This is one reason we recommend ordering before you are close to running out. A pharmacy refill may be ready to move very quickly on our side, but we cannot control how long a prescriber's office may take to review and respond to a renewal request.
For refill-planning guidance, see When should you order your next refill?.
What if you are already running low?
If you are already getting close to running out, let us know as soon as possible.
We can review the prescription status, confirm whether a renewal request has already been sent, and help you understand what is still needed.
If your prescriber's office has not responded yet, it may also help for you to contact them directly. A patient follow-up can sometimes help the office identify and process the request more quickly.
What if the medication itself has changed?
A prescription renewal usually means continuing the same treatment.
If your prescriber has changed the strength, directions, dosage form, or medication itself, that is a different situation. We may need an updated prescription that reflects the new treatment before preparing the refill.
We explain those situations in What if your medication changes before your next refill?.
Where to go from here
Once we receive the renewed prescription, your refill can continue through the normal pharmacy process.
If something about the medication itself has changed since your previous order, continue to What if your medication changes before your next refill?.