Pharmacy Instructions for Patients

Responsibilities of Pharmacists

• Convey instructions to patients through prescription labels, known as Signatura (Sig).
• Instructions on the label include dosage, frequency, administration route, and any special guidelines.

Prescription Renewal Instructions

• Physicians indicate the number of refills; crucial for habit-forming medications to prevent misuse.
• Prescriptions must specify the number of refills or indicate none, and prescriptions expire after one year.

Automatic Stop Orders for Inpatient Orders

• Antibiotics have a stop order of 7 days.
• Controlled substances have a stop order of 3 days.

Signature of Prescriber

• Signifies the prescription as a legal document.
• Physicians can include directives such as “brand necessary” or “DAW” (Dispense as Written).
• Requires a DEA number for prescribing narcotics, comprising two letters, six numbers, and one check digit.

Legal Requirements for Valid Prescription

• Must be written in indelible ink, either handwritten or computer-generated.
• Must include the prescriber’s signature and date in indelible ink.
• Requires the prescriber’s address, noting "for dental use only" if from a dentist.
• Words and numbers should be clearly spaced.

Types of Prescriptions

• Repeat prescriptions are for long-term stable medications that can be reordered by the patient or a trusted representative.

Historical Background of Prescribing

• Prescription practices date back to 1820 BC in Egypt, with the first known prescriptions on a clay tablet from 2400 BC in Mesopotamia.
• In ancient practices, treatments merged exorcism and medicinal use.
• The earliest record of compounded medicine appears in the Sushrata Samhita, a Sanskrit text from the 6th century BC.

Prescriber Office Information

• Essential for contacting the prescriber in emergencies and includes doctor’s name, office details, and prescription number for refills.

Importance of Dates on Prescriptions

• Ensures tracking of when medications were prescribed and dispensed to prevent misuse, especially for habit-forming drugs.
• Validity periods for prescriptions differ globally; one year in Pakistan and 18 months in Europe.

Patient Information Required

• A prescription must contain detailed patient data including name, age, sex, weight, and address.

Definition of Prescription

• Prescription is an order from a physician or registered medical practitioner for a pharmacist to dispense medication.
• The term "prescription" originates from the Latin "praescriptus," meaning to write beforehand, emphasizing the necessity of written orders for medication administration.

Historical Evolution of Pharmacy

• By the 17th century, Western society established pharmacist guilds leading to the emergence of pharmacists as healthcare providers.
• In the U.S., the term “pharmacist” replaced “apothecary,” influenced by individuals like Edward Parrish.