From Dropping Off Your Prescription to Picking Up Your Prescription
There is a lot more that occurs when the pharmacy receives a prescription than one would think. It isn't simply putting pills in a bottle with a label. The steps below show the complexity of processing your prescription:
Your Typical Prescription Process:
1) Prescription is interpreted and typed into the computer by the pharmacy staff which is then billed if there is any insurance coverage present.
2) If there are no issues or if the issue(s) is resolved, they will count, mix, or retrieve your prescription from the pharmacy shelf.
3) After appropriate filling of medication, the medication will get labeled.
4) The pharmacist will recheck the prescription, label, medication to make sure that the right medication has been filled for the right patient to avoid any possible medical errors.
5) Once the prescription has been checked, the pharmacist can decide whether or not to counsel you to make sure that that you are well informed about the medication or if you request counseling.
6) Lastly, you would pay and pick up your prescription.
1) Prescription is interpreted and typed into the computer by the pharmacy staff which is then billed if there is any insurance coverage present.
- Chance of Happening: Insurance issue can occur.
- Chance of Happening: Prescription issue as determined by the pharmacist or pharmacy intern such as incorrect dose, illegible prescription, potential drug interaction, etc.
2) If there are no issues or if the issue(s) is resolved, they will count, mix, or retrieve your prescription from the pharmacy shelf.
3) After appropriate filling of medication, the medication will get labeled.
4) The pharmacist will recheck the prescription, label, medication to make sure that the right medication has been filled for the right patient to avoid any possible medical errors.
5) Once the prescription has been checked, the pharmacist can decide whether or not to counsel you to make sure that that you are well informed about the medication or if you request counseling.
6) Lastly, you would pay and pick up your prescription.
*Seems simple enough for one prescription, but imagine this process for dozens of prescriptions which is what generally happens during busy hours of the work days. Your pharmacy puts a lot of effort into your prescription to ensure safety and accuracy from writings on paper to the actual medication.
Diagram of Why It Takes So Long
Source: Dr. Emily Ambizas, St. John's University CPP 3201: Intro to Pharmaceutical Care
Source of Picture: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=598584760170936&