Medical prescription

A medical prescription (℞) is a written order by a medical doctor to a pharmacist for a treatment to be provided to the doctor's patient.

Contents

1 Format and definition 1.1 Contents of the prescription 1.2 Handling of the prescription 1.3 Forgeries 2 Writing prescriptions 2.1 Who can write prescriptions 2.2 Legibility of prescriptions 2.3 Writing good prescriptions 2.4 Abbreviations 3 Non prescription drug prescriptions 4 Related usage of the term prescription 5 History 6 Future directions of prescriptions 7 Appendix 1: Complete list of abbreviations 8 Exhibit A: sample legal definition of a prescription 9 Exhibit B: sample legal requirement for filing of prescriptions 10 Exhibit C: sample legal requirements for security and format 11 Exhibit D: sample requirements on information added by the pharmacist 12 See also

Format and definition

Prescriptions are typically handwritten on preprinted prescription forms that are assembled into pads, or alternatively printed onto similar forms using a computer printer. Preprinted on the form is text that identifies the document as a prescription, the name and address of the prescribing doctor and any other legal requirement such as a registration number (e.g. DEA Number in the United States). Unique for each prescription is the name of the patient, date (some jurisdictions may place a time limit on the prescription[1] (http://www.med.rug.nl/pharma/who-cc/ggp/chapter9/page01.htm)), the "recipe" of the medication and the directions for taking it. Finally there is the doctor's signature.

The symbol "R_x" meaning "prescription" is a transliteration of a symbol resembling a capital R with a cross on the diagonal ().

There are various theories as to the origin of this symbol - some note its similarity to the eye of Horus, others to the ancient symbol for Jupiter, both gods whose protection may have been sought in medical contexts. Alternatively, it may be intended as an abbreviation of the Latin recipere, "to take" [2] (http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=recipe), and it is quite possible that more than one of these factors influenced its form. Literally, "Rx" indicates an instruction "to take" what is specified in the prescription, although this was probably originally directed at the pharmacist who needed to take a certain amount of each drug and prepare them, rather than at the patient who must take the medicine, in the sense of consuming it.

The word "prescription" can be decomposed into "pre" and "script" and literally means, "to write before" a drug can be prepared. Those within the industry will often call prescriptions simply "scripts".

Contents of the prescription

Both pharmacists and physicians are regulated professions in most jurisdictions. A prescription as a communications mechanism between them is also regulated and is a legal document. Legislation may define what constitutes a prescription, the contents and format of the prescription (including the size of the piece of paper - see Exhibit C paragraph 10) and how prescriptions are handled and stored by the pharmacist. Many jurisdictions will now allow faxed or phone prescriptions containing the same information. Exhibit A below illustrates the legal definition of a prescription.

Many brand name drugs have less expense generic drug substitutes that are chemically equivalent. Prescriptions will also contain instructions on whether the doctor will allow the pharmacist to substitute a generic version of the drug. This instruction is communicated in a number of ways. In some jurisdictions, the preprinted prescription contains two signature lines: one line has "dispense as written" printed underneath; the other line has "substitution permitted" underneath. Some have a preprinted box "dispense as written" for the doctor to check off (but this is easily checked off by anyone with access to the prescription). Other jurisdictions the protocol is for the doctor to handwrite one of the following phrases: "dispense as written", "DAW", "brand necessary", "do not substitute", "no substitution", "medically necessary", "do not interchange"[3] (http://www.alesse.com/pdf/prescribe.pdf).

As a guideline, pediatric prescriptions should include the age of the child if the patient is less than twelve and the age and months if less than five. (In general, including the age on the prescription is helpful.) In some jurisdictions, it may be a legal requirement to include the age of child on the prescription [4] (http://bnf.org/bnf/bnf/current/doc/29440.htm). Adding the weight of the child is also helpful.

Prescriptions often have a "label" box [5] (http://www.sh.lsuhsc.edu/fammed/OutpatientManual/PrescripWriting-PDR.htm). When checked, pharmacist is instructed to label the medication. When not checked, the patient only receives instructions for taking the medication and no information about the prescription itself.

Some doctors further inform the patient and pharmacist by providing the indicator for the medication; i.e. what is being treated. This assists the pharmacist in checking for errors as many common medications can be used for multiple medical conditions.

Some prescriptions will specify whether and how many "repeats" or "refills" are allowed; that is whether the patient may obtain more of the same medication without getting a new prescription from the doctor. Legislation may restrict some categories of drugs from being refilled.

In group practices, the preprinted portion of the prescription may contain multiple doctors' names. Doctors typically circle themselves to indicate who is prescribing or there may be a checkbox next to their name.

Handling of the prescription

When filled by a pharmacist, as a matter of business practice, the pharmacist may write certain information right on the prescription. This may also be mandated by legislation (see Exhibit D). Information such as the actual manufacturer of the drug and the date the medication was dispensed may be written right onto the prescription. Legislation may require the pharmacist sign the prescription. In computerized pharmacies, all such information is printed and stapled to the prescription. Sometimes such information is printed onto labels and the labels affixed right onto the prescription.

When filled by the pharmacist, prescriptions are typically assigned a "prescription number" (often abbreviated "Rx#") that is unique to the pharmacy that filled the prescription. The prescription number is written right on the prescription by the pharmacist. The prescription number has the practical purpose of uniquely identifying the prescription later on while filed (both manual and electronic). The prescription number is also put on the label on the dispensed medication. The patient may be required to reference the prescription number for refills and drug insurance claims. There may also be a legal requirement for prescription numbers for subsequent identification purposes.

As a legal document, some jurisdictions will mandate the archiving of the original paper prescription in the pharmacy. Very rarely can the patient take the original prescription with them. Some jurisdictions may entitle patients to a copy. The retention period varies but can be as long as six years. See Exhibit B for sample legislation governing the archiving of prescriptions. Once the retention period has passed, privacy legislation may dictate what can be done with the original paper prescription. Legislation may also dictate what happens to the prescriptions if the pharmacy closes or is sold. For example, if the pharmacy goes out of business, the pharmacist may be required to return the prescription to the patient, to the next closest pharmacy or to the governing body for pharmacists.

Prescriptions for non-narcotic drugs may also be "transferred" from one pharmacy to another for subsequent repeats to be dispensed from another pharmacy. The physical piece of paper that is the prescription is not transferred, but all the information on it is transferred from one pharmacy to another. Legislation may dictate the protocol by which the transfer occurs and whether the transfer needs to be noted on the original paper prescription.

It is estimated that 3 billion (3 thousand million) prescriptions were written in the United States in 2002[6] (http://www.usaweekend.com/02_issues/021201/021201healthsmart.html)[7] (http://www.psychiatrictimes.com/massmedia.html). This number has grown from 1.5 billion in 1989 and is expected to continue to grow.

Forgeries

Prescriptions are sometimes forged because many narcotics are cheaper and safer as prescription drugs than as street drugs. Forgery takes many forms: Doctor's prescription pads are sometimes stolen by drug addicts, amounts may be altered on legitimate prescriptions, call back numbers may be falsified and phoned or faxed prescriptions faked[8] (http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/pubs/brochures/pharmguide.htm).

Some doctors will use prescription pads that contain similar security measures as checks to make photocopying prescriptions harder. These security measures may be mandated by law - see Exhibit C for sample legal specifications. Legislation may only authorize certain printers to print prescriptions[9] (http://www.in.gov/hpb/boards/isbp/pad.html). Prescribers can make it harder for amount forgeries by writing out the amounts in words. Again, this may be mandated by law[10] (http://www.cpsa.ab.ca/collegeprograms/attachments_tpp/tpp%20information%20for%20prescriber.doc).

Some jurisdictions help control stolen prescriptions by requiring special "triplicate prescriptions" for certain classes of drugs[11] (http://www.cpsa.ab.ca/collegeprograms/attachments_tpp/tpp%20information%20for%20prescriber.doc). Blank triplicates are only available from the regulating agency and are individually numbered. The doctor retains a copy, the second and third copies are given to the patient to give to the pharmacist. The pharmacist retains the second copy and the third copy is submitted to the regulating agency. The regulating agency can issue lists of stolen prescriptions that pharmacists can check. In this example, the prescription's validity is further limited to 72 hours from issuance. This system also has the further benefit of managing "double doctoring" where patients visit multiple doctors to get prescriptions.

When forgery is suspected, pharmacists will call the doctor to verify the prescription and will attempt to detain the suspect pending arrival of authorities. Forged prescriptions are no longer considered medical documents and doctor-patient confidentiality rules no longer applies.

Writing prescriptions

Who can write prescriptions

Who can issue prescriptions are governed by local legislation. In the United States, physicians, veterinarians, dentists, and podiatrists have full prescribing power. In all states optometrists will also issue eyeglass prescriptions for corrective eyeglasses though technically these are not medical prescriptions. In many states, optometrists cannot prescribe medication. States allow mid-level practitioners different prescription privileges. Nurse practitioners (also known as advance practice nurses), physician assistants, optometrists, homeopathic physicians, registered pharmacists, naturopathic physicians, and doctors of oriental medicine currently represent the spectrum of mid-level practitioners. Each state regulates what (if any) prescription powers members of the above group are allowed. Florida, for example, prohibits every member of the above group from any prescription power, where as North Dakota allows registered pharmacists to prescribe certain medications[12] (http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drugreg/practioners/index.html).

Legibility of prescriptions

Prescriptions, when handwritten, are notorious for being often illegible (5% according to an Irish study [13] (http://www.imj.ie/news_detail.php?nNewsId=2553&nVolId=98)). Contrary to popular belief, pharmacists do not have special deciphering skills. When in doubt, they call the doctor. At other times, even though some of the individual letters are illegible, the position of the legible letters and length of the word is sufficient to distinguish the medication based on the knowledge of the pharmacist. For doctors that the pharmacist deals with regularly, they learn to read the doctor's handwriting. Patients are advised to ensure that the prescription is legible before leaving the doctor's office. Some jurisdictions have made legible prescriptions a law (e.g. Florida[14] (http://www.flsenate.gov/data/session/2003/senate/bills/billtext/pdf/s2084er.pdf)). Some have advocated the elimination of handwritten prescriptions altogether [15] (http://www.ismp.org/msaarticles/whitepaper.html) and computer printed prescriptions are becoming increasingly common in some places. However, in the United States, computer-printed prescriptions cannot be used to prescribe Schedule II medications; prescriptions for these medications must be in the physician's handwriting, or typewritten, and actually signed by the physician.

Writing good prescriptions

Independent of the actual prescribing decision, elements of a good prescription writing include: [16] (http://bnf.org/bnf/bnf/current/doc/29420.htm) [17] (http://www.healthlibrary.com/reading/rdb/april98/good.htm) [18] (http://www.aafp.org/fpm/20020700/27pres.html)

• careful use of decimal points to avoid ambiguity:
  • avoid unnecessary decimal points: 5 mL instead of 5.0 mL to avoid possible misinterpretation of 5.0=50
  • alway zero prefix decimals: e.g. 0.5 instead of .5 to avoid misinterpretation with .5=5
  • never have trailing zeros on decimals: e.g. use 0.5 instead of .50 to avoid misinterpretation with .50=50
  • avoid decimals altogether by changing the units: 0.5 g =500 mg
• "mL" is used instead of "cc" or "cm³" even though they are technically equivalent
• directions should be written out in full in English although some common Latin abbreviations are listed below
• quantities can be given directly or implied by the frequency & duration of the directions
• where the directions are "as needed" the quantity should always be specified
• where possible, usage directions should specify times (7 am, 3 pm, 11 pm) rather than simply frequency (3 times a day) and especially relationship to meals for orally consumed medication
• use permanent ink
• avoid prn "as needed" - limits & indicators should be specified e.g. "q 3h prn pain"
• for refills - minimum duration between repeats & number of repeats should be specified

Abbreviations

See Appendix 1 for a complete list of common abbreviations found on prescriptions. Many abbreviations are derived from Latin phrases. Hospital pharmacies have more abbreviations, some specific to the hospital. Different jurisdictions follow different conventions on what is abbreviated or not. Prescriptions that don't follow area conventions may be flagged as possible forgeries.

Some abbreviations which are ambiguous, or which in their written form might be confused with something else, are not recommended and should be avoided. These are included in a separate list in Appendix 1.

Non prescription drug prescriptions

Prescriptions are also used for things that are not strictly regulated as a prescription drug. Doctors will often give non-prescription drugs out as prescriptions because drug benefit plans may reimburse the patient only if the over-the-counter medication is taken under the direction of a doctor. Conversely, if a medication is available over-the-counter, doctors may ask patients if they want it as a prescription and possibly incur a pharmacist's dispensing fee or whether they want to get it themselves at a lower price. If the patient wants the medication not under prescription, the doctor is usually careful to give the medication name to the patient on a blank piece of paper to avoid any confusion with a prescription. This is applied to non-medications as well. For example, crutches, and registered massage therapy may be reimbursed under some health plans, but only if given out by a doctor as a prescription.

Doctors will often use blank prescriptions as general letterhead. A "doctor's note" for absent days from school or work for minor illnesses will often be written on a blank prescription.

Legislation may define certain equipment as "prescription devices"[19] (http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?FR=801.109). Such prescription devices can only be used under the supervision of authorized personnel and such authorization is typically documented using a prescription. Examples of prescription devices include dental cement (for affixing braces to tooth surfaces), various prothesis, gut sutures, sickle cell tests, cervical cap and ultrasound monitor.

In some jurisdictions, hypodermic syringes are in a special class of its own, regulated as illicit drug use accessories[20] (http://www.legis.state.il.us/legislation/ilcs/ch720/ch720act635.htm) separate from regular medical legislation. Such legislation will often specify a prescription as the mean by which one may legally possess syringes.

Related usage of the term prescription

Prescription may also be used as a short form for prescription drugs to distinguish from over-the-counter drugs. It may also be used in reference to the entire system of controlling drug distribution (as opposed to illicit drugs). "Prescription" is often used as a metaphor for healthy directions from authority. A "green prescription" is direction from a doctor to a patient for exercise and healthy diet.

History

The concept of prescriptions date back to the beginning of history. So long as there were medications and a writing system to capture directions for preparation and usage, there were prescriptions [21] (http://www.pharmacy.wsu.edu/History/history02.html)[22] (http://139.80.66.65/edmedia/HxPharmacy/Pharmacy_main.asp?doMove=NEXT&thisFile=main_002.txt).

Modern prescriptions are actually "extemporaneous prescriptions" from the Latin (ex tempore) for "instant"[23] (http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=extemporaneous). "Extemporaneous" means the prescription is written on the spot for a specific patient with a specific ailment. This is distinguished from the a non-extemporaneous prescription which is a generic recipe for a general ailment. Modern prescriptions evolved with the separation of the role of the pharmacists from that of the physician[24] (http://www.bartleby.com/65/ph/pharmacy.html). Today the term "extemporaneous prescriptions" is reserved for "compound prescriptions" which requires the pharmacist to mix or "compound" the medication in the pharmacy for the specific needs of the patient.

Predating modern legal definitions of a prescription, a prescription traditionally is composed of four parts: a "superscription", "inscription", "subscription" and "signature"[25] (http://www.ibiblio.org/herbmed/eclectic/potter-comp/prescription.html).

The superscription section contains the date of the prescription and patient information (name, address, age, etc). The symbol "Rx" separates the superscription from the inscriptions sections. In this arrangement of the prescription, the "Rx" is a symbol for recipe or literally "take thou". This is most likely an exhortation to the pharmacist by the doctor, "I want the patient to have the following medication"[26] (http://www.vnh.org/HospitalCorpsman14295/14295_ch6.pdf). It should not be interpreted as instructions to the patient to "take thou" as patient instructions are in a later section. Some the literal exhortation to the pharmacist is "take thou this recipe".

The inscription section defines what is the medication. The inscription section is further composed of one or more of[27] (http://2.1911encyclopedia.org/T/TH/THERAPEUTICS.htm):

• a "basis" or chief ingredient indended to cure (curare)
• an "adjuvant" to assist its action and make it cure quickly (cito)
• a "corrective" to prevent or lessen any undesirable effect (tuto)
• a "vehicle" or "excipient" to make it suitable for administration and pleasant to the patient (jucunde)

The "subscription" section contains dispensing directions to the pharmacist. This may be compounding instructions or quantities.

The "signature" section contains directions to the patient[28] (http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=signature) and is often abbreviated "Sig."[29] (http://www.bartleby.com/61/96/S0399600.html) or "Signa." It also obviously contains the signature of the prescribing doctor though the word "signature" has two distinct meanings here and the abbreviations are sometimes used to avoid confusion.

Thus sample prescriptions in modern textbooks are often presented as:

Rx:  medication
Disp.:  dispensing instructions
Sig.: patient instructions

Future directions of prescriptions

As a prescription is nothing more than information among a doctor, pharmacist and patient, information technology can be applied to it. Existing information technology is adequate to print out prescriptions. Medical information systems in some hospitals do away with prescriptions within the hospital. There are proposals to securely transmit the prescription from the doctor to the pharmacist using smartcards and the internet[30] (http://www.computer.org/proceedings/hicss/1435/volume6/14350156babs.htm).

Within computerized pharmacies, the information on the piece of paper that is the prescription is captured immediately. Thereafter, the prescription is simply an entry within the pharmacy's information system and the paper prescription is stored for legal reasons only.

In cases where a pharmacy is part of a chain of pharmacies, the pharmacies are often linked together through their corporate headquarters with computer technology. Walgreens, for example, uses satellite technology to share patient information. A person who has a perscription filled at one Walgreens can get a refill of that perscription at any other store in the chain, as well as have their information available for new perscriptions at any Walgreens.

Some pharmacies also offer services to customers over the internet. Walgreens web site, for example, allows customers to order refills for medicine over the internet, and allows them to specify the store that they will pick up the medicine from. Their web site also allows consumers to lookup their perscription history, and to print it out.

Pharmacy information systems are a potential source of valuable information for pharmaceutical companies as it contains information about doctor's prescribing habits. Prescription data mining of such data is a developing, specialized field[31] (http://collection.nlc-bnc.ca/100/201/300/cdn_medical_association/cmaj/vol-163/issue-9/1146.htm).

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Appendix 1: Complete list of abbreviations

This appendix is meant to be a complete list of all abbreviations used in prescriptions. Its listing here does not mean such abbreviations should be used. See main article for discussion on the use of abbreviations. This listing does not include abbreviations for actual pharmaceuticals (which is a separate article in itself.) Capitalization and the use of a period is a matter of style. In the attached list, Latin is not capitalized whereas English acronyms are. The period is used wherever there are letters omitted in the abbreviation.

• aa (ana) - of each
• ad - to, up to
• a.c. (ante cibum) - before meals
• a.d. (aurio dextra) - right ear
• ad lib. (ad libitum) - use as much as one desires; freely
• admov. (admove) - apply
• agit (agita) - stir/shake
• alt. h. (alternis horis) - every other hour
• a.m. (ante meridiem) - morning, before noon
• amp - ampule
• amt - amount
• aq (aqua) - water
• a.l., a.s. (aurio laeva, aurio sinister) - left ear
• A.T.C. - around the clock
• a.u. (auris utrae) - both ears
• bis (bis) - twice
• b.i.d. (bis in die) - twice daily
• B.M. - bowel movement
• bol. (bolus) - a large pill
• B.S. - blood sugar
• B.S.A - body surface areas
• cap., caps. (capsula) - capsule
• c (cum) - with (usually written with a bar on top of the "c")
• c (cibos) - food
• cc - cubic centimetre; also means "with food" (cum cibos)
• cf - with food
• C.H.F. - congestive heart failure
• comp. - compound
• cr., crm - cream
• D5W - dextrose 5% solution (sometimes written as D₅W)
• D5NS - dextrose 5% in normal saline (0.9%)
• D.A.W. - dispense as written
• dc, D/C, disc - discontinue
• dieb. alt. (diebus alternis) - every other day
• dil. - dilute
• disp. - dispense
• div. - divide
• d.t.d. (dentur tales doses) - give of such doses
• D.W. - distilled water
• elix. - elixir
• e.m.p. (ex modo prescripto) - as directed
• emuls. (emulsum) - emulsion
• et - and
• ex aq - in water
• fl., fld. - fluid
• ft. (fiat) - make; let it be made
• g - gram
• G.I. - gastrointestinal
• gr - grain
• gtt(s) (gutta(e)) - drop(s)
• G.U. - gentiourinary
• H - hypodermic
• h, hr - hour
• H.A. - headache
• H.B.P. - high blood pressure
• h.s. (hora somni) - at bedtime
• HTN - hypertension
• ID - intradermal
• IM - intramuscular (with respect to injections)
• inj. (injectio) - injection
• IP - intraperitoneal
• IV - intravenous
  • IVP - intravenous push
  • IVPB - intravenous piggyback
• L.A.S. - label as such
• LCD - coal tar solution
• lin (linimentum) - liniment
• liq (liquor) - solution
• lot. - lotion
• M. (misce) - mix
• m, min (minimum) - a minimum
• mcg - microgram
• mEq - milliequivalent
• mg - milligram
• mist. (mistura) - mix
• mitte (mitte) - send
• mL - millilitre
• N&V, N/V - nausea and vomiting
• nebul (nebula) - a spray
• N.K.A. - no known allergies
• N.K.D.A. - no known drug allergies
• N.M.T. - not more than
• noct. (nocte) - at night
• non rep. (non repetatur) - no repeats
• NPO, n.p.o. (non per os) - nothing by mouth
• NS - normal saline (0.9%)
• 1/2NS - half normal saline (0.45%)
• N.T.E. - not to exceed
• o_2 - both eyes, sometimes written as o₂
• o.d. (oculus dexter) - right eye
• o.s. (oculus sinister) - left eye
• o.u. (oculo utro) - both eyes
• oz - ounce
• per - by or through
• p.c. (post cibum) - after meals
• p.m. (post meridiem) - evening or afternoon
• prn (pro re nata) - as needed
• p.o. (per os) - by mouth or orally
• p.r. - by rectum
• pulv. (pulvis) - powder
• q (quaque) - every
• q.a.d. (quoque alternis die) - every other day
• q.h. (quaque hora) - every hour
• q.1h (quaque 1 hora) - every 1 hour; (can replace "1" with other numbers)
• q.d. (quaque die) - every day
• q.i.d. (quater in die) - four times a day
• q.o.d. - every other day
• q.s. (quantum sufficiat) - a sufficient quantity
• R- rectal
• rep., rept. (repetatur) - repeats
• RL, R/L - Ringer's lactate
• s (sine) - without (usually written with a bar on top of the "s")
• s.a. (secundum artum) - use your judgement
• SC, subc, subq, subcut - subcutaneous
• sig - write on label
• SL - sublingually, under the tongue
• S.O.B. - shortness of breath
• sol (solutio) - solution
• s.o.s., si op. sit (si opus sit) - if there is a need
• ss (semis) - one half
• stat (statim) - immediately
• supp (suppositorium) - suppository
• susp - supsension
• syr (syrupus) - syrup
• tab (tabella) - tablet
• tal., t (talus) - such
• tbsp - tablespoon
• troche (trochiscus) - lozenge
• tsp - teaspoon
• t.i.d. (ter in die) - three times a day
• t.i.w. - three times a week
• top. - topical
• T.P.N. - total parenteral nutrition
• tr, tinc., tinct. - tincture
• u.d., ut. dict. (ut dictum) - as directed
• ung. (unguentum) - ointment
• U.R.I. - upper respitory infection
• U.S.P. - United States Pharmacopoeia
• U.T.I. - urinary tract infection
• vag - vaginally
• V.S. - vital signs
• w - with
• W.B.C. - white blood count
• w/o - without
• X - times
• Y.O. - years old

To avoid ambiguity, the following abbreviations are not recommended [32] (http://www.nccmerp.org/council/council1996-09-04.html):

• a.u., a.d., a.s. - Latin for both, left and right ears; the "a" can be misread to be an "o" and interpreted to mean both, right or left eyes
• d/c - can mean "discontinue" or "discharge"
• h.s. - can mean half strength or "hour of sleep"
• q.d. - meant "every day" but the "." after the "q" is interpreted to be an "i" thus "q.i.d." or quadrupling the dose to 4 times a day
• q.o.d. - meant "every other day" but the "o" can be interpreted as "." or "i" resulting in double or eight times the frequency
• SC/SQ - meant "subcutaneaous" but mistaken for "SL" for "sublingual"
• T.I.W - meant 3 times a week but mistaken for twice a week
• U - meant "units" but mistaken for "0", "4" or "cc" when poorly written; conversely cc can be mistaken for "U"
• μg - meant "microgram" but mistaken for "mg"; this 1000-fold error can cause potentially fatal misunderstandings

Exhibit A: sample legal definition of a prescription

Taken from California's Business and Professions Code Section 4040 [33] (http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/displaycode?section=bpc&group=04001-05000&file=4015-4043):

4040. (a) "Prescription" means an oral, written, or electronic transmission order that is both of the following:

(1) Given individually for the person or persons for whom ordered that includes all of the following:

(A) The name or names and address of the patient or patients.

(B) The name and quantity of the drug or device prescribed and the directions for use.

(C) The date of issue.

(D) Either rubber stamped, typed, or printed by hand or typeset, the name, address, and telephone number of the prescriber, his or her license classification, and his or her federal registry number, if a controlled substance is prescribed.

(E) A legible, clear notice of the condition for which the drug is being prescribed, if requested by the patient or patients.

(F) If in writing, signed by the prescriber issuing the order, or the certified nurse-midwife, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant who issues a drug order pursuant to Section 2746.51,2836.1, or 3502.1.

(2) Issued by a physician, dentist, optometrist, podiatrist, or veterinarian or, if a drug order is issued pursuant to Section 2746.51, 2836.1, or 3502.1, by a certified nurse-midwife, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant licensed in this state.

(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), a written order of the prescriber for a dangerous drug, except for any Schedule II controlled substance, that contains at least the name and signature of the prescriber, the name and address of the patient in a manner consistent with paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) of Section 11164 of the Health and Safety Code, the name and quantity of the drug prescribed, directions for use, and the date of issue may be treated as a prescription by the dispensing pharmacist as long as any additional information required by subdivision (a) is readily retrievable in the pharmacy. In the event of a conflict between this subdivision and Section 11164 of the Health and Safety Code, Section 11164 of the Health and Safety Code shall prevail.

(c) "Electronic transmission prescription" includes both image and data prescriptions. "Electronic image transmission prescription" means any prescription order for which a facsimile of the order is received by a pharmacy from a licensed prescriber. "Electronic data transmission prescription" means any prescription order, other than an electronic image transmission prescription, that is electronically transmitted from a licensed prescriber to a pharmacy.

(d) The use of commonly used abbreviations shall not invalidate an otherwise valid prescription.

(e) Nothing in the amendments made to this section (formerly Section 4036) at the 1969 Regular Session of the Legislature shall be construed as expanding or limiting the right that a chiropractor, while acting within the scope of his or her license, may have to prescribe a device.

Exhibit B: sample legal requirement for filing of prescriptions

From the Mississippi Board of Pharmacy [34] (http://www.mbp.state.ms.us/pharma15.htm):

ARTICLE XIII PRESCRIPTIONS TO BE FILED

1. All prescriptions shall be filed in one of the following ways:

A. Three separate files may be maintained; a file for Schedule II prescriptions dispensed; a file for Schedule III, IV and V prescriptions dispensed; and a file for all other prescriptions dispensed.

B. Two files may be maintained; a file for all Schedule II prescriptions dispensed and another file for all other prescriptions dispensed, including those in Schedule III, IV and V. If this method is used, the prescriptions for Schedule III, IV and V substances must be stamped with the letter "C" in red ink, not less than one inch high, in the lower right-hand corner. This distinctive marking makes the records readily retrievable for inspection. Pharmacies with automatic data processing systems are exempted from marking Schedule III, IV and V controlled substance prescriptions with the red "C".

2. A hard copy of original prescriptions, whether records are maintained manually or in a data processing system, shall be assigned a serial number and maintained by the pharmacy in numerical and chronological order. All prescriptions shall be maintained for at least five years from the date of original dispensing.

3. If a pharmacy utilizes a data processing system for record keeping, all computer generated labels should be affixed to the prescription document in such a manner as not to obscure information on the face of the document.

Exhibit C: sample legal requirements for security and format

From Indiana Board of Pharmacy [35] (http://www.state.in.us/legislative/register/Vol24/12Sep/08Q856010150.pdf):

856 IAC 1-34-2 Security feature requirements

Authority: IC 35-48-7-8

Affected: IC 16-42-19-5

Sec. 2. (a) All controlled substance prescriptions written by licensed Indiana practitioners, as defined by IC 16-42-19-5, must contain the following security features:

(1) A latent, repetitive "void" pattern screened at five percent (5%) in reflex blue must appear across the entire face of the document when the prescription is photocopied.

(2) There shall be a custom artificial watermark printed on the back side of the base paper so that it may only be seen at a forty-five (45) degree angle. The watermark shall consist of the words "Indiana Security Prescription", appearing horizontally in a step-and-repeated format in five (5) lines on the back of the document using 12-point Helvetica bold type style.

(3) An opaque RX symbol must appear in the upper right-hand corner, one-eighth (c) of an inch from the top of the pad and five-sixteenths ( 5 /16) of an inch from the right side of the pad. The symbol must be three-fourths (3/4) inch in size and must disappear if the prescription copy is lightened.

(4) Six (6) quantity check-off boxes must be printed on the form and the following quantities must appear and the appropriate box be checked off for the prescription to be valid:

(A) 1-24

(B) 25-49

(C) 50-74

(D) 75-100

(E) 101-150

(F) 151 and over.

(5) No advertisements may appear on the front or back of the prescription blank.

(6) Logos, defined as a symbol utilized by an individual, professional practice, professional association, or hospital, may appear on the prescription blank. The upper left one (1) inch square of the prescription blank is reserved for the purpose of logos. Only logos, as defined by this subdivision, may appear on the prescription blank.

(7) Only one (1) prescription may be written per prescription blank. The following statement must be printed on the bottom of the pad: "Prescription is void if more than one (1) prescription is written per blank.".

(8) Refill options that can be circled by the prescriber must appear below any logos and above the signature lines on the left side of the prescription blank in the following order: Refill NR 1 2 3 4 5 Void after_____.

(9) Practitioner name and state issued professional license number must be preprinted, stamped, or manually printed on the prescription.

(10) All prescription blanks printed under this rule shall be four and one-fourth (4-1/4) inches high and five and one-half (5-1/2) inches wide.

(b) Nothing in this rule shall prevent licensed Indiana practitioners from utilizing security paper prescriptions for the prescribing of any legend drug. (Indiana Board of Pharmacy; 856 IAC 1-34-2; filed Jul 5, 1995, 9:45 a.m.: 18 IR 2782, eff Jan 1, 1996)

Exhibit D: sample requirements on information added by the pharmacist

Taken from the Ontario's Drug and Pharmacies Regulation Act [36] (http://www.ocpinfo.com/client/ocp/OCPHome.nsf/(LegislationForWeb)/Drug+and+Pharmacies+Regulation+Act+Act!OpenDocument&PFV), paragraph 156.

(1) Every person who dispenses a drug pursuant to a prescription shall ensure that the following information is recorded on the prescription,

(a) the name and address of the person for whom the drug is prescribed;

(b) the name, strength (where applicable) and quantity of the prescribed drug;

(c) the directions for use, as prescribed;

(d) the name and address of the prescriber;

(e) the identity of the manufacturer of the drug dispensed;

(f) an identification number or other designation;

(g) the signature of the person dispensing the drug and, where different, also the signature of the person receiving a verbal prescription;

(h) the date on which the drug is dispensed;

(i) the price charged. R.S.O. 1990, c. H.4, s. 156 (1).

See also

• Eyeglass prescriptionpl:Recepta