Understanding Prescriptions

Introduction

A prescription is a written order from a medical professional that tells the pharmacist the correct drug and dosage to give to the patient. The doctor or medical professional is responsible for all of the components of a prescription that are written or sent to the pharmacist. The pharmacist then deals with the prescription order, directions, and label for proper use by the patient. The patient must be instructed to properly take the medication and follow the orders as told by the doctor.

 

Types of Prescriptions

Prescriptions may be filled upon the request of the patient if refills were indicated on the original written prescription. Over half of the prescriptions filled on a daily basis are refills of an original prescription. When a refill is needed, the patient provides the pharmacy with the prescription number (label number) of the prescription to be refilled. This number was stamped on the original prescription when dispensed and is used as a filing number for future reference.

The patient will either call in the number over the telephone or take the empty prescription container to the pharmacy. In some cases, the doctor's office will call with the prescription number to request the refill. Once the prescription number is known, the prescription can be identified from the files, and the medicine is dispensed as instructed on the original prescription.

 

When a refill is dispensed, the label on the bottle indicates that one less refill is remaining. For example, if the original prescription was written for a medicine with two refills, then "2 refills remaining" is typed on the label when the prescription is filled for the first time. Each time a patient refills the prescription, a new label is typed. On each new label, the number of refills remaining must be reduced by one.

A prescriber can call new prescriptions into a pharmacy over the telephone. The pharmacist transfers the telephone order onto a prescription blank. The prescription is dispensed as if it were the original written prescription.

 

Doctors can order medications for patients while they're in the hospital. If a doctor orders a medication in a hospital, it's known as a medication order or physician's order. It's not called a "prescription" as it is at the local pharmacy. 

Hospitals now use computerized systems to track all physicians' orders for each patient. The physician can enter his or her orders directly into the system used by the hospital. There are six components that must be included on hospital medication orders.

Components of Hospital Medication Orders

• Date
• Patient's name
• Medication name
• Dosage or amount of medication
• Route of administration
• Time/frequency of administration

 

Key Points

• A prescription is a written order from a prescriber; it tells the pharmacist what drug to give a patient.
• A prescription must provide with complete accuracy the name, strength, and quantity of the drug to dispense; the patient to whom it is to be given; and exact directions for taking for the patient.
• A prescription blank is the form used to write a prescription; it typically includes the prescriber's name, address, and telephone number preprinted on it.
• A typical prescription order follows a defined pattern to simplify its interpretation. This includes the patient's name and address, the date, the symbol Rx, the name of the medication, its dose form, and the strength of the medication.
• Directions to the pharmacist specify dispensation amounts, and directions to the patient indicate how to take the medication; refill information is also included in the prescription.
• Prescriptions may be filled by request of the patient if refills are indicated on the original prescription.
• Hospital medication orders are ordered by a doctor for patients while they're in the hospital.