- A prescription is a written or verbal order from a practitioner for the preparation and administration of a medicine or a device
- Medical doctors (MD), doctors of osteopathy (DO), dentists (DDS), and veterinarians (DVM) are the primary practitioners who write prescriptions. Podiatrists and optometrists are also allowed to write prescriptions. All practitioners must write within the scope of their practice
- In many states, nurse practitioners, physicians assistants, and/or pharmacists are also allowed limited rights to prescribe medications
- In community pharmacies, pharmacy technicians generally the prescription, collect patient data (correct spelling of name, address, allergy, and insurance information, etc) and enter it into a computerized prescription system
Prescription Information
- The pharmacist should be consulted on all OTC and Schedule II prescriptions
- The prescription is entered into the computer and drug-drug, drug-disease, and drug-allergy information is automatically checked by the pharmacy software. If third party billing is involved, this is done only simultaneously
The Fill Process
- Once the prescription and third party billing is confirmed by the online computer system, the label and receipt are printed and the prescription is prepared
- Since the patient is expected to self administer the medication, the label's directions for use must be clear, unambiguous, and concise
- Pharmacists must provide counseling to patients on all new prescriptions and on any refilled prescriptions when clarification is required. A patient may refuse counseling
- In institutional settings, nursing staff generally administer medications to patients
- Technicians must require the advice of the pharmacist whenever judgement is required
Labels
- Many computerized prescription systems will automatically indicate which auxiliary labels to use with each drug
HIPAA
- The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) contains regulations related to privacy and protected health information (PHI)
- Examples of PHI are name and address, date of birth, Social Security number, payment history, account number, name and address of healthcare provider and/or health plan, and medical or prescription history
- Under HIPAA, pharmacies and other covered entities are required to provide a written notice of their privacy practices to their patients
- A pharmacy may disclose PHI to business associates that perform services for the patient
- All personnel who have access to PHI must be formally trained regarding HIPAA
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