Handling of
Prescription
Learning
Objectives
At the end of this
lecture, student will be able to:
• List the steps involved in processing / handling of
prescription
• Describe each step involved in handling of prescription
• Explain the importance of each step involved in handling
of prescription
Steps in
prescription handling
1. Receiving the prescription
2. Reading and checking the prescription.
3. Collecting and weighing the ingredients
4. Compounding
5. Packaging
6. Labeling
7. Rechecking
8. Rechecking
9. Dispensing and patient counseling
10. Recording and filling
1.
Receiving the Prescription
Professional manner
• While receiving or reading the prescription the pharmacist
should not show any signs of confusion or surprise as it may cause anxiety in the
patient.
2. Reading and
Checking the Prescription
• A brief examination of each prescription
• Read completely and carefully in privacy of the
prescription department
• Time taken for compounding
• Any doubt regarding the prescription??
• Never guess….
• Oral prescriptions should be immediately written down and
should be verified by repeating it.
• This is important because there are a number of drugs with
the same pronunciation.
Example: Digoxin
– Digitoxin, Indocin – Lincocin, Prednisone – Prednisolone, Quinine – Quinidine.
3. Collecting and
weighing the ingredients
• Assemble the necessary materials in a single location on
the prescription counter.
• Ingredient collected on the left hand side of the balance.
• Weighed ingredients should be shifted to the right hand of
the balance.
4. Preparing the
prescription
• The pharmacist should decide on the exact procedure to be
followed in dispensing or compounding the ingredients.
• The pharmacist should take into consideration
• The compatibility of all the ingredients,
• The right order of mixing,
• The need for special adjuvants / additives
• Techniques and the mathematical calculations to be
followed.
• Most of the present day prescriptions are branded prescription.
• Care must be exercised that the product dispensed is of
the prescribed dosage form, strength and number of dosage units.
• Verify:
• The manufacturer’s label for expiry date
• Products which show signs of poor manufacturing or
• Signs of deterioration
5. Packaging
• Container selection
• Container shapes, sizes mouth openings, colors and
compositions.
• Majority containers – colorless or amber colored glass or plastic
containers.
Types of containers
for different products.
Type | Type |
Round vials | Solid dosage forms like tablets and capsules |
Prescription bottles | Liquids of low viscosity |
Wide-mouthed bottles | Bulk powders, large quantities of tablets and capsules and viscous |
Dropper bottles | Opthalmic, nasal, ear or oral liquids to be administered by drop |
Ointment jars and collapsible tubes | Semisolids like creams and ointments |
6. Labeling
• Aesthetic and professional in appearance.
• Label – appropriate to the size of the container
• Written or typed in indelible ink.
• Label contains:
– Name and address of the pharmacy
– Prescription number
– Prescriber name
– Patient’s name, directions for use and the date of
dispensing.
• Directions should be written as clearly as possible
• Auxiliary labels should be used to emphasize a number of
important aspects of the dispensed medication, including:
– Its proper use
– Handling
– Storage
– Refill status
– Necessary warnings or precautions
SHAKE BEFORE USE
FOR EXTERNAL USE ONLY
INFLAMMABLE
CORROSIVE
POISON
KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN
DO NOT SWALLOW
FOR RECTAL USE ONLY
7. Rechecking
• Prescription rechecked
• Ingredients and amounts verified
• Label details rechecked
• Check directions
• Recheck patient’s name,
• Prescription number, date and prescriber name.
8. Dispensing and
patient counseling
• While delivering the prescription to the patient, the
instructions on the label should be reinforced to the patient.
9. Recording and
filing
A record of all the dispensed prescriptions should be
maintained in the pharmacy by using prescription files.
Summary
• Receiving the prescription – No signs of confusion
• Reading and checking the prescription – confirmation
• Collecting and weighing the ingredients – Accuracy
• Compounding – Procedures
• Packaging – Container type and size
• Labeling – Sufficient information
• Rechecking
• Dispensing and patient counseling – directions
• Recording and filling – documentation