In this article, we will discuss the handling of prescriptions but before going to the details of the handling of prescription we will have a look at the definition of prescription.
What is a Prescription?
Prescription is any written order for pharmacists to compound and dispense medicines for patients and this order is written by a qualified doctor, dentist or any registered medical practitioner.
Handling Of Prescription
Handling of a prescription means how a prescription is entertained or filled means in this we will discuss what a pharmacist does with the prescription when a patient comes to the pharmacy with a prescription.
Handling of prescription consists of following steps,
Receiving
Reading & Checking
Collection & Weighing Of The Material
Compounding
Finishing
Receiving Of Prescription
Receiving is the first step of prescription handling and as the name indicates in this step the prescription is received by the pharmacist.
One important factor to be remembered in this step is that if a pharmacist is not available, no other person should receive the prescription.
Reading & Checking of Prescription
The second step of prescription handling is to read the prescription after it is received to check that all the mentioned materials are available in the pharmacy according to the prescription.
The reading of the prescription should be done immediately after its receiving to estimate the time required for its filling.
If a long time is required for its compounding then inform the patient so that he may wait or can go and return back at said time.
The prescription should be read precisely and accurately because my mistake in reading may result in wrong dispensing and serious harm.
In case of any confusion consult with the prescriber.
Before compounding the prescription make sure that all the materials are available and the required dosage form can easily be prepared in the pharmacy.
Collection & Weighing Of The Material
The third step of prescription handling is the collection of materials and weighing them to form a dosage form according to the prescription.
After carefully reading the prescription, take material containers from shelves or drawers.
All the material containers are placed on the dispensing slab on the left-hand side of the Weighing balance.
Arrange the materials according to the order of mixing.
Before starting the weighing of materials, ensure that the weighing balance is calibrated.
After ensuring calibration status, start weighing materials according to the prescription.
After weighing, place the material container to the right side of the balance.
This method ensures proper and correct weighing.
The label on material containers should be read carefully three times, one is at the time when we remove them from shelves, the second is when we take them for weighing and the third is when we put them back on the shelves after weighing.
Compounding Of Prescription
Compounding is the fourth step of prescription handling and it is the most critical step of prescription handling.
Compounding means, in this step the pharmacist prepares the dosage forms according to the prescription.
For compounding, proper instructions and methods are followed.
One prescription should be dispensed at a time.
In recent days, the medicines are supplied in form of dosage forms that are manufactured by the pharma industries.
The pharmacist dispenses the correct dosage form mentioned in preparation.
In the situation where compounding is required in the pharmacy, the exact calculations and procedures should be followed by the pharmacist.
Finishing Of Prescription
It is the last step in handling the prescription and as the name indicates, in this step the prescription filling is completed and required medicines are supplied to patients in suitable containers.
The containers are properly labelled and the labels should bear the following information,
Prescription Name
Patient Name
Registration Number
Dispensing Date
Instructions For Use
Date of Expiration
Storage Conditions
Name of Pharmacy
Address of Pharmacy
All the above-mentioned information should be written in clear writing.
The label should be of proper size and affixed on the container properly.
The label should be attached to the container by placing it in the centre of the container.
In the case of collapsible tubes which are used for creams and ointments, the label is not attached in the middle rather it is attached near the top of the tube.
If we attach a label in the middle of a collapsible tube it may damage when we squeeze the tube to remove medicines.
If the medicine is dispensed in a small container that does not have sufficient space to attach a label with all required information, attach a serial number to that container and place it in another large container that has a label with all required information.
When the prescription is compounded, packed and labelled, it is thoroughly checked to prevent any errors.
When all the specifications are according to the prescription, the compounded medicines are signed and handed over to the patient.
Also Read
No comments:
Post a Comment