Sometimes getting your prescription filled at the pharmacy is the biggest barrier to your treatment for opioid use disorder.
This is a scenario many of our members have experienced: They finally get their lives back on track, with the support of a treatment program to quit opioids. Their withdrawal symptoms and cravings are under control thanks to a prescription for Suboxone buprenorphine/naloxone. Then their stability is threatened when their pharmacy says they can’t or won’t fill the prescription.
This situation comes up more often than you would think. In 2025, Workit Labs conducted a study and learned that approximately one-third of participating members had missed buprenorphine doses in the previous year due to a pharmacy-related barrier.
Why is it a big deal when pharmacies can’t or won’t dispense your Suboxone?
Suboxone and other buprenorphine/naloxone medications relieve opioid withdrawal symptoms and cravings. Sometimes, people who don’t have opioid use disorder don’t understand what a huge impact that can have. For people who do have opioid use disorder, that relief can save their lives by helping them break free from the cycle of opioid use and withdrawal.
Interruptions in medication access can lead to lapses in treatment or even resuming drug use (the common phrase is “relapse”). This can put them right back into the cycle, increasing their risk of overdose and damaging their health and relationships all over again.
Why might a pharmacy refuse to fill a buprenorphine prescription?
First, it’s important to know that buprenorphine is a Schedule III controlled substance at the federal level. As such, it is regulated by laws limiting how soon it can be refilled. These medications typically cannot be refilled more than 1-3 days before your previous supply is expected to run out. For this reason, many pharmacies enforce a 28-day refill cycle based on the day that the medication was picked up—not when it was ordered or when you started taking it. Pharmacies are monitored by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), so they have to follow tight protocols, which are designed to prevent misuse and diversion.
Second, some large corporate pharmacy chains have company policies that cause them to refuse to refill certain controlled medications (ADHD, opioids, and anti-anxiety drugs) that were prescribed by an online provider. This can happen even though telehealth and telehealth-controlled prescriptions are legal. The DEA has a “red flag” policy that urges pharmacies to be cautious of filling prescriptions from out-of-state or unfamiliar telehealth providers. Some pharmacies with stricter policies will not take prescriptions for controlled substances from providers “that are too far away.”
Third, stigma is real. Pharmacists and pharmacy techs are people, and people can fall prey to misinformation. If they believe that opioid use disorder is a moral failing, or if they listen to the myth that Suboxone treatment is just another addiction, they may hesitate to fulfill your prescription for that reason.
What can I do if I have trouble getting my Suboxone prescription filled?
We recommend that you ask to speak with the pharmacist or pharmacy manager. Ask them their name and jot it down so you have a record of everyone you talk to. Let them know that you are a member at Workit Health. Explain that it is a program that manages your disorder via medication management and through groups and courses that help you develop new coping strategies. Sometimes, hearing about your treatment program will be enough for the pharmacist.
If the pharmacist still refuses to fill your prescription, ask them for the exact reason why the refill was denied and write it down. Let them know that you will contact your provider and will need a rationale/reason why you were denied your prescribed medication. Remember that we can only combat stigma one day at a time, so be courteous and respectful of the pharmacy.
Once you have their reason, contact your Workit Health Medical Team and let us know. Tell us the reason and the names of the people you spoke with. You can message us via the app or call on the phone.
How will Workit Health help me get my prescription filled?
Our team will contact the pharmacy and explain the medical necessity of your prescription. We will emphasize that this is a medical treatment that is prescribed by a licensed provider and monitored by a real medical facility. It’s important that you do not stop this medication abruptly because of the risk of withdrawal and return to use.
Workit’s Medical Team can also reassure them that, despite being fully remote, all Workit Health providers meet DEA and state requirements.
If the pharmacy holds firm that they won’t fill the prescription, we can help you switch to a different pharmacy. But often, the pharmacist is just not familiar with our program. In that situation, contacting the pharmacy and speaking directly with the pharmacist can alleviate their concerns. So don’t hesitate to ask us to advocate for you!
Scripts for speaking to my pharmacist
Some of our members aren’t sure what they can or should say when their pharmacist questions their prescription. Here are a few sample scripts you could use.
“Suboxone is just one part of my recovery treatment, but it is an important piece. I am in a program that helps me in my recovery journey. Suboxone has been a life-saving tool for me, just like insulin is to a diabetic. Without my prescription, I can go into withdrawals within 24 hours. That would affect my job, family, and my physical well-being. My provider says it’s very important that I do not stop this medication abruptly. Is there anything we can do so that I don’t miss my scheduled dose?”
“I use Suboxone because it is an FDA-approved medication to treat opioid use disorder. I take it because it is safer for me than going cold turkey. Having withdrawals and increased cravings could lead me to relapse and possibly overdose or die. This medication has given me the opportunity to heal by decreasing my cravings and relieving my withdrawal symptoms. This lets me focus on my recovery rather than seeking physical relief from other life-threatening substances.”
“My provider closely evaluates me [weekly, bi-weekly, monthly—whatever is true for you] and they deemed it necessary for my health to prescribe me this medication. I am active in a recovery program that monitors my medication, I take monthly drug tests, and I participate in monthly group meetings with my provider and peer support counselor.”
What if I travel out of state?
Your provider can only send you a controlled prescription in the state where they are licensed. They cannot prescribe for you in a different state. However, we do have clinics and providers in other states. If your travel will be long-term, one option would be to transfer your care to the clinic in that new state and see a provider who is licensed there. Click here for a list of the states where Workit Health has clinics and providers.