1. What is Days Supply Calculation?

Days supply calculation is a fundamental skill for pharmacy technicians that determines how long a medication will last based on the total quantity dispensed and the prescribed daily dosage.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the days supply formula:

Where:

• \( DS \) — Days supply (days)
• \( TQ \) — Total quantity dispensed (units)
• \( DD \) — Daily dose (units/day)

Explanation: This simple division calculates how many days a medication supply will last based on the prescribed daily dosage.

3. Importance of Days Supply Calculation

Details: Accurate days supply calculation is crucial for medication adherence monitoring, insurance billing, refill scheduling, and preventing medication shortages or overstocking.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the total quantity of medication dispensed and the prescribed daily dosage. Both values must be positive numbers greater than zero.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What units should I use for calculation?
A: Ensure both total quantity and daily dose use the same units (tablets, mL, mg, etc.) for accurate results.

Q2: How do I calculate for PRN medications?
A: For PRN (as needed) medications, use the maximum allowed daily dose rather than the typical dose for conservative estimation.

Q3: What about medications with multiple daily doses?
A: Calculate the total daily dose by multiplying the dose per administration by the number of times administered daily.

Q4: How should I handle combination medications?
A: For fixed-dose combination products, calculate based on the primary drug component or follow specific pharmacy protocols.

Q5: Are there exceptions to this formula?
A: Some medications (like insulin, inhalers, or topical products) may require specialized calculations based on usage patterns rather than simple division.