At the patient's request and with a valid prescription stating the supply, up to what self-administered hormonal contraceptive supply must a pharmacy dispense at one time?

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The main idea tested is how much self-administered hormonal contraception a pharmacist may dispense at one time under California law when the patient requests it and the prescription specifies the supply amount. The rule is that a pharmacy may dispense up to a 12-month supply in a single dispensing if the prescription states that amount. This maximum reflects a policy to improve access to contraception by reducing the need for frequent refills.

If the prescription explicitly calls for a 12-month supply, the pharmacist should fill 12 months at once. If the prescription specifies a shorter duration, such as 3 or 6 months, the pharmacist must dispense that amount. The option of a 24-month supply is not permitted, even if the patient requests it, because it exceeds the statutory maximum. So, the best answer is that up to a 12-month supply may be dispensed at one time when the prescription indicates that duration.