Must pharmacists in Indiana counsel patients on all new prescriptions?

In Indiana, the law mandates that pharmacists must offer verbal counseling to patients receiving new prescriptions, particularly focusing on controlled substances due to their potential for misuse and complexity of information. This legal requirement reflects the necessity for pharmacists to ensure that patients understand their medications, including dosage instructions, potential side effects, and interactions with other substances.

While counseling is crucial for all prescriptions, emphasis is placed on controlled substances where the risk of abuse is higher. The practice aims to enhance patient safety and medication adherence. Thus, while pharmacists are encouraged to provide counseling for all prescriptions, there is a distinct legal obligation that highlights the need for counseling on controlled substances specifically. This helps illustrate the pharmacist's role in safeguarding public health and ensuring patients are well-informed.