Report: Pa. officials may limit Rx transfers among patients

NEW YORK — Fears about the likelihood of medication errors have officials in Pennsylvania mulling the possibility of restrictions on patients transferring prescriptions from one pharmacy to another, according to published reports.

CNBC reported Sunday that a rule recently put in place by the Ohio Board of Pharmacy that allows only one transfer per year had inspired Pennsylvania officials to consider a similar rule for their own state.

Officials said frequent transfers can result in confusion between pharmacists and patients that could lead to medication errors, especially because those transfers often are made over the phone, according to the article.

Retail pharmacies frequently offer such incentives as gift cards and discounts to customers who transfer their prescriptions or who encourage others to do the same.