![]() ![]() Sometimes such information is printed onto labels and the labels affixed right onto the prescription. In computerized pharmacies, all such information is printed and stapled to the prescription. Legislation may require the pharmacist sign the prescription. Information such as the actual manufacturer of the drug and the date the medication was dispensed may be written right onto the prescription. This may also be mandated by legislation (see Exhibit D). When filled by a pharmacist, as a matter of business practice, the pharmacist may write certain information right on the prescription. Prescribers typically circle themselves to indicate who is prescribing or there may be a checkbox next to their name. In group practices, the preprinted portion of the prescription may contain multiple prescribers' names. Regulations may restrict some types of drugs from being refilled. Some prescriptions will specify whether and how many "repeats" or "refills" are allowed that is whether the patient may obtain more of the same medication without getting a new prescription from the doctor. This assists the pharmacist in checking for errors as many common medications can be used for multiple medical conditions. Some prescribers further inform the patient and pharmacist by providing the indicator for the medication i.e. When not checked, the patient only receives instructions for taking the medication and no information about the prescription itself. When checked, pharmacist is instructed to label the medication. Adding the weight of the child is also helpful. (In general, including the age on the prescription is helpful.) In some jurisdictions, it may be a legal requirement to include the age of child on the prescription. Īs a guideline, pediatric prescriptions should include the age of the child if the patient is less than twelve and the age and months if less than five. Other jurisdictions the protocol is for the prescriber to handwrite one of the following phrases: "dispense as written", "DAW", "brand necessary", "do not substitute", "no substitution", "medically necessary", "do not interchange". Some have a preprinted box "dispense as written" for the prescriber to check off (but this is easily checked off by anyone with access to the prescription). In some jurisdictions, the preprinted prescription contains two signature lines: one line has "dispense as written" printed underneath the other line has "substitution permitted" underneath. This instruction is communicated in a number of ways. Prescriptions will also contain instructions on whether the prescriber will allow the pharmacist to substitute a generic version of the drug. Many brand name drugs have less expensive generic drug substitutes that are chemically equivalent. ![]() Exhibit A below illustrates the legal definition of a prescription.ĭrug companies use direct-to-physician advertising in an effort to convince doctors to dispense as written with brand-name products rather than generic drugs. Many jurisdictions will now allow faxed or phone prescriptions containing the same information. Regulations may define what constitutes a prescription, the contents and format of the prescription (including the size of the piece of paper - see Exhibit C paragraph 10) and how prescriptions are handled and stored by the pharmacist. ![]() A prescription as a communications mechanism between them is also regulated and is a legal document. Those within the industry will often call prescriptions simply "scripts".īoth pharmacists and prescribers are regulated professions in most jurisdictions. The word "prescription" can be decomposed into "pre" and "script" and literally means, "to write before" a drug can be prepared. The symbol "R x" meaning "prescription" is a transliteration of a symbol resembling a capital R with a cross on the diagonal ( Template:Unicode). There is the specific "recipe" of the medication and the directions for taking it. Each prescription is dated and some jurisdictions may place a time limit on the prescription. In the United Kingdom the patient's name and address must also be recorded. Unique for each prescription is the name of the patient. Preprinted on the form is text that identifies the document as a prescription, the name and address of the prescribing provider and any other legal requirement such as a registration number (e.g. Prescriptions are typically handwritten on preprinted prescription forms that are assembled into pads, or alternatively printed onto similar forms using a computer printer. ![]()
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