The work of a pharmacist technician who is responsible for filling prescriptions and predicting the medication errors is based on the set of rules and principles. The actual prescription process can be discussed as guided by certain standards. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the daily activities and experiences of pharmacists and discuss the process of filling prescriptions, clarifying the orders, determining omissions and medication errors, and prescribing the ‘prior authorization’ medications.
The process of filling a prescription includes several important steps. The first step is the verification of the order. A pharmacist should become sure that all the information required for filling the prescription is presented. The next step is the selection of medications from the shelf. Then, it is necessary to measure medications according to the prescribed amounts and dosage. This stage is important, and a pharmacist should be attentive not to mix medications and provide the right dose. The vials are filled with medications accurately, and required lids are provided (Hopper, 2014, p. 112). It is usually necessary to provide childproof lids. The next steps include applying main and auxiliary labels carefully, as well as putting the pharmacist’s initials on them. Pharmacists on duty should check the filled prescription. During the process of filling the prescription, it is important for a pharmacist technician to be extremely attentive at all stages.
However, there are situations when it is necessary to call providers and clarify some points regarding orders. A pharmacist should call a provider when the actual name of the medication is not written or printed correctly, the prescription is illegible, the dosage is unclear or unusual, and the prescribed medication requires the authorization (Hopper, 2014). These actions are important to predict the medication errors.
Thus, to avoid errors, a pharmacist pays attention to the fact that the proper prescription includes the name of the patient, his date of birth and address, the insurance information, and the information about allergies and other taken medications. Medical conditions are also included. In addition to the name of a medication, dosage, and quantity, there should also be the information about the provider’s name, phone number, his signature, and the date (Whalen, 2014). However, the problem is in the fact that pharmacists often receive prescriptions without the information on allergies and such important medical conditions as diabetes, and this information is obtained from a provider or a patient additionally.
When the prescriptions are checked, and omissions are addressed, it is also important to prevent such typical medication errors as mixing the medications from different bottles, preparing the incorrect dosage, and ignoring the information on allergies and other taken drugs. These errors are crucial, and the carefully regulated prescription process allows avoiding them.
The other important issue to address is the Prior Authorization (PAR) process. The medications that are discussed as PAR drugs include steroids, growth hormones, hepatitis medications, and narcolepsy medications among others (Whalen, 2014). The prescription process for these medications differs from the traditional one, and a pharmacist needs to be sure that the overuse of these drugs is prevented, and the prior authorization from the provider and insurer is received.
The mentioned information on the process of filling the prescription is important to both pharmacist technicians and those persons who prescribe medications because the main aspects of the effective prescription process and possible issues are discussed in this paper. While using the acquired knowledge on the prescription process details, it is possible to predict the range of medication errors and omissions. As a result, the detailed discussion of the process of filling medications is important to provide the accurate medication treatment to patients.
References
Hopper, T. (2014). Mosby’s pharmacy technician: Principles and practice. New York, NY: Elsevier Health Sciences.
Whalen, K. (2014). Lippincott’s illustrated reviews: Pharmacology. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkens.