rescriber’s Name, Address, and Phone Number
The next components are the name, address, and phone
number of the prescriber and the collaborating physician if
required by state law or regulations. This enables the pharm
...
rescriber’s Name, Address, and Phone Number
The next components are the name, address, and phone
number of the prescriber and the collaborating physician if
required by state law or regulations. This enables the pharma-
cist to contact the prescriber if there is a question about the
prescription.
Name of Drug
Of course, the name of the drug is the most essential part of
the prescription. Ideally, the generic name (with the trade or
brand name in parentheses) is used. The name must be leg-
ible to avoid errors in filling the prescription correctly. For
instance, some drugs have names that are commonly confused
or misread, such as Norvasc and Navane, Prilosec and Prozac,
carboplatin and cisplatin, and Levoxine and Lanoxin. Severe
problems may result if the wrong drug is supplied erroneously.
Adding the diagnosis to the prescription, although optional,
can help the pharmacist avoid misinterpreting the prescribed
drug.
Dose, Dosage Regimen, and Route
of Administration
The drug dose is essential because many drugs are available
in various strengths. The dose is written in numerals. If the
dose is a fraction of 1, it is written in decimal form with a
zero to the left of the decimal point (e.g., 0.75). However,
a whole number should not be followed by a decimal point
(10.0 could be misinterpreted as 100). The numeric dose is
followed by the correct metric specification such as milligram
(mg), gram (g), milliliter (mL), or microgram (mcg). Many
practitioners spell out microgram to avoid confusion with mil-
ligram. Some drugs are manufactured in units that should be
specified, and the term unit should be written out (insulin
10 units, not 10 U). Usually, the strength of drugs that are
combination products or that are manufactured only in one
strength do not need to be included. The route of the drug
is specified as well. (Routes of administration are discussed in
Chapter 3.)
The prescription also specifies how frequently the drug is
to be taken. A drug prescribed to be taken as needed is termed
11
a prn drug. For example, dosage frequency can be written as
“prn every 4 hours” (or another appropriate interval) for the
problem for which the drug is prescribed (e.g., “as needed for
nausea”). It is good practice to write out the number (10–ten),
especially with controlled substances. Any special instructions,
such as “after meals,” “at bedtime,” or “with food,” also should
be specified. If the dose is once a day it is safer practice to write
out daily than to write OD because this can be confused with
every other day.
The prescription also includes the number of pills, vials,
suppositories, or containers or amount in milliliters or ounces
to be dispensed. Many prescription reimbursement or health
care insurance programs allow only a 1-month supply to be
dispensed at a time, so it is good practice to be knowledge-
able about the rules of various prescription plans. The prescrip-
tion indicates whether the prescription may be refilled and the
number of refills permitted.
When prescribing a new drug for a patient, the practi-
tioner may want to consider prescribing just a few doses or a
7-day supply initially. Alternatively, samples may be provided,
if allowed by law or regulations, to determine if the patient can
tolerate the drug and if it is effective. When deciding on the
number of refills, the practitioner may decide when the patient
should return for a follow-up visit and allow just the number
of refills that will take the patient until the next visit to ensure
that the patient returns. Some drug prescriptions cannot be
refilled. For all Schedule 2 drugs, for example, a new prescrip-
tion must be written each time.
Allowable Substitutions
There are many generic equivalents for brand name drugs.
Indication of whether a substitution is allowed is a part of
the prescription. A generic drug substitute must have the
same chemical composition and dosage as the brand name
drug originally prescribed. In many states, a generic drug will
automatically be substituted for a brand name drug. If there
is a medical reason to require a brand name drug (that has
a generic equivalent), “Brand Medically Necessary” must be
written on the prescription.
Prescriber’s Signature and License Number
The signature of the prescriber is required. It should be legible
and should be the person’s legal signature. The license number
of the prescriber or the collaborating physician is required on
the prescription. In some instances, the DEA number of the
prescriber is also required, especially when prescribing between
states or prescribing a controlled substance. Figure 1-2 illustrates
a blank prescription and a completed prescription. Each state has
specific requirements for components on a printed prescription.
The practitioner must be in compliance with state regulations
and may prescribe only in the state in which he
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