I’ll give that a shot. By corporate do you mean set by the pharmacy (in my case, CVS?). They’ve tried to override the fill restriction before only to be given back an exception regarding state law, I know California my doctor was actually able to refill outside the normal cycle once a year, possibly more, but needed a really damn good reason.

Yes, there can be multiple layers of regulations and policies. State law might restrict it. The state pharmacy board may have guidelines and then corporate may have further limits.

With the big chain pharmacies you’re fighting against them actually knowing you well enough to trust your request is legit AND the fact their hands may be tied by corporate.

At smaller pharmacies the pharmacist can often make the call themselves.

It’s really due to the opioid epidemic. Pharmacies were flagged as “you should have known it was inappropriate use”. It’s the pharmacist who will be questioned as to their judgement. If they can say “I’ve know Mr Smith for 10 years, he fills all his prescriptions here, has only asked for early refills 4 times in 5 years and each time was due to travel. In my judgement he was no misusing the controlled substance.”, then they’ll be happy to do it.

If they don’t recognize you and when they look you’re a new customer and your reason is the same one they hear all day long from obvious abusers, then they won’t put their ass on the line for you. Double so if they know corporate will say no.