What must a pharmacist confirm when receiving a verbal prescription?

When receiving a verbal prescription, it is essential for the pharmacist to confirm the medication name, strength, dosage form, and patient's information. This step ensures clarity and accuracy in the prescription being filled.

Validating the medication name helps to prevent medication errors that can occur from similar-sounding drug names. Confirming the strength is critical to ensure the patient receives the correct dose, which is particularly important for medications with narrow therapeutic indices where small variations can lead to significant health risks. The dosage form indicates how the medication is administered, whether it's a tablet, liquid, or injectable form, which can affect how the drug is absorbed and utilized in the body. Lastly, confirming the patient's information helps to ensure that the medication is appropriate for the individual, taking into account their specific health conditions and any potential interactions with other medications they may be taking.

This comprehensive review process upholds patient safety and the accuracy of medication dispensing within pharmacy practice.