Why might a pharmacist refuse to sell OTC dextromethorphan to a customer?

A pharmacist may refuse to sell over-the-counter (OTC) dextromethorphan to a customer who looks under 25 years old and cannot provide ID due to concerns about the product's potential for misuse and the regulations surrounding its sale. Dextromethorphan is commonly used in cough suppressants but is also known for its recreational use, particularly among younger individuals. Therefore, many pharmacies implement age verification measures to prevent abuse.

The requirement for age verification is a precautionary measure to ensure that individuals purchasing products containing dextromethorphan are of an appropriate age and can be held responsible for their use. If a customer appears to be underage and is unable to provide identification, the pharmacist may choose to refuse the sale in order to comply with best practices for reducing misuse and protecting public health.

Addressing the other options, while a customer smelling like alcohol could raise red flags, it does not directly correlate to an established protocol for age verification as is the case with dextromethorphan. The absence of a previous prescription is irrelevant because dextromethorphan is available OTC and does not require a prescription. Additionally, while purchasing too many items could be a concern, it does not specifically relate to the regulations