How To Make Sure You Have A Valid Prescription
In order for a prescription to be valid it must include:
A lot of times, prescriptions are given back to patients because at least one of the above requirements were missing or invalid. If this happens, you would have to go back to your doctor's office to get it fixed. The best thing to do when your doctor writes your prescription, is to spend 1-2 minutes looking at your prescription to make sure everything looks good before going to the pharmacy. Sometimes it may be hard to read your doctor's handwriting. If that is the case, ask your doctor what he/she has written when you are handed your prescription and make sure the prescription has met the requirements.
- Patient Name (full name, no initials)
- Date prescription was written
- Drug Name (Brand name, Generic name if available)
- Drug Strength (How many mg, mEq, grams, etc.)
- Dosage Form (Tablets, Capsules, Ointment, Creams, Spray, etc.)
- Correct and Valid Directions (How often to take it and how to take it)
- Quantity to Dispense (number of capsules, tablets, packs, etc. & volume of liquids)
- Prescriber Signature (Doctors, dentists, etc.)
- DEA Number (required for controls)
- Prescriber address and phone number
A lot of times, prescriptions are given back to patients because at least one of the above requirements were missing or invalid. If this happens, you would have to go back to your doctor's office to get it fixed. The best thing to do when your doctor writes your prescription, is to spend 1-2 minutes looking at your prescription to make sure everything looks good before going to the pharmacy. Sometimes it may be hard to read your doctor's handwriting. If that is the case, ask your doctor what he/she has written when you are handed your prescription and make sure the prescription has met the requirements.