If a pharmacist suspects a prescription to be fraudulent, what is the appropriate action?

When a pharmacist suspects that a prescription may be fraudulent, the most appropriate action is to contact the prescriber for verification. This step is crucial because it allows the pharmacist to confirm the authenticity of the prescription directly with the healthcare provider who issued it. By doing so, the pharmacist fulfills their professional responsibility to ensure patient safety and the integrity of the prescription process.

Verifying the prescription with the prescriber helps to prevent potential harm that could arise from dispensing a medication based on a fraudulent document. It also protects the pharmacist and the pharmacy from potential legal repercussions associated with dispensing falsified prescriptions. Professional organizations and guidelines emphasize the importance of this verification process when there are concerns about the legitimacy of a prescription.

Other actions like filling the prescription regardless of suspicion or ignoring it altogether do not align with best practices in pharmacy and could endanger patient safety and legal compliance. Reporting the situation to law enforcement can be appropriate but typically comes after verification attempts, as the prescriber may provide crucial insights that influence the next steps.