PTCB - Chapter 5 - Prescriptions - Definitions

Extemporaneous compounding
- the on demand preparation of a drug product according to a physician's prescription, formula, or recipe

Over the counter (OTC) drugs
- medications that do not require a prescription but may be filled with a prescription

Prescription
- an instruction from a medical practitioner that authorizes a patient to be issued a drug or device

The Prescription Process

1.  A prescription is ordered by a prescriber
2. The prescription arrives at the pharmacy
3. Patient and prescriber information is gathered
4. The prescription data is entered into the computer system
5. Insurance and billing information is processed
6. The label is generated
7. The prescription is prepared
8. The pharmacist checks the prescription
9. The patient receives the prescription
10. The pharmacist provides counseling

Signa

- from the latin word signa meaning "to write". It is abbreviated to Sig or S (or left out entirely). It indicates the directions for use and the administration route

DAW (dispense as written)

- a code specifying that the brand name drug, rather than its generic equivalent, is to be dispensed

Schedule II drugs

- drugs that have a high potential for abuse or addiction but that also have safe and accepted medical uses; they require special handling

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

- a federal act that protects the privacy of individuals and the sharing of protected health information

Protected health information (PHI)

- any personal information that could be used to identify an individual or their health history