Which action must be taken if an emergency prescription is not received by the pharmacy?

The appropriate action when an emergency prescription is not received by the pharmacy is to contact the prescriber immediately. This is crucial in order to confirm the validity of the prescription and ensure that the patient receives the necessary medication without interruption.

In scenarios involving emergency prescriptions, there is often a verbal authorization given by the prescriber, which must be followed up by a written prescription. If this written prescription is not received in a timely manner, reaching out to the prescriber is essential. This helps in maintaining compliance with regulations and ensures patient safety.

Waiting for a week or deciding to dispense medication regardless of missing documentation can lead to legal and ethical complications, such as potential violations of pharmacy law or jeopardizing patient safety. Notifying the DEA is irrelevant in most cases unless there's a significant legal concern, which usually would not apply in a standard emergency prescription context.