What must be indicated on a prescription for a pharmacist to provide a balance after a partial fill?

For a pharmacist to provide a balance after a partial fill, a refill authorization is required. This is critical because it informs the pharmacist that the prescriber has authorized the remaining medication to be dispensed after the initial partial filling.

Partial filling occurs under certain circumstances, such as when a patient only needs part of the prescribed quantity at that time or when there are limitations on the quantity available. In those cases, the pharmacist must have a clear indication from the prescriber that the remaining medication can be dispensed later, which is what a refill authorization signifies.

In contrast, specific dosage requirements, the patient's age, or the signature of the prescribing physician do not directly relate to the ability to provide a balance after a partial fill. While these pieces of information are important in the overall context of medication dispensing, they do not serve the specific function of granting permission for the completion of a partial fill.