A prescription is a written order from a licensed healthcare professional to a pharmacist for a specific medication for a patient. It contains key information like the date, patient details, name and quantity of the medication, directions for use, and prescriber details. Prescriptions should be handled carefully by getting them from licensed providers, understanding the instructions, filling them correctly at pharmacies, following dosage guidance, storing and disposing of unused medication properly. Errors can occur due to issues like illegible handwriting, abbreviations, incomplete information, miscommunication between providers, and failure to check for drug interactions or allergies.

1. Priscription
Pharmaceutics - I

2. Content;
 DEFINATION
 PARTS OF PRISCRIPTION
 HANDLING OF PRESCRIPTION
 SOURCES OF ERRORS IN PRESCRIPTION

3. INTRODUCTION
 A prescription is a legal document or order written
by a qualified health care professional for diagnosis,
prevention or treatment of a specific patient’s
disease.
 Prescription is written by a licensed practitioner.
Defination; A prescription is a written order from a
registered medical practitioner such as dentist ,
veterinarian etc., to a pharmacist to compounding
and dispense a specific medication for the patient.

4. Parts of prescription
 Date
 Patient Information
 Superscription
 Inscription
 Subcription
 Signature lines , degree
, brand name indication
 Prescriber Information
 Refills
 Warnings

5. 1. Date
 It helps a pharmacist to find out the date of prescribing and date of
prescription for filling the prescription .
 The prescription which prescribe narcotic or other habit forming
drug , must bear the date , so as to avoid the misuse of prescription.
2. Patient Information
 Must be written in the prescription because it serves to identify the
prescription.
 Age and sex of the patient especially in case of children, helps the
pharmacists to check the prescribed dose of medication.
 Also used in dose calculation of children.
3. Superscription
 It is represented by Rx symbol.
 It is Latin word , It means “ you take”.
 This symbol was employed by the ancient in requesting god for the
quick recovery of the patient.
4.Inscription
 This is the main part of the prescription order, contains the names
and quantities of the prescribed ingredients.
 The name of each ingredient is written on separate line along with
its quantity.

6. 5. Subscription
 This comprises direction to the pharmacist for preparing
prescription.
 Which is usually ‘ mix ‘ send tablets or ‘ capsule ‘ and number of
doses to be dispensed.
6. Signature or Transcription
 This consists of the direction to be given to the patient regarding the
administration of drug.
 It is usually written as ‘ sig’ on the prescription.
 The instruction may be regarding ; Quantity to be taken , timing ,
rout of administration.
7. Refills
 Indicate either no refills or the the number of refills you want.
8. Signature , address, and registration number of the prescriber
 It is very important particularly in the prescription containing
narcotic and habit forming drugs to prevent its misuse.

7. Handling of prescription
Prescriptions are important medical instructions that should
be handled with care to ensure proper usage and safety.
Here's a guide on how to handle prescriptions:
 Get a Prescription: Prescriptions are given by licensed
healthcare professionals after diagnosing an illness or
condition. Always consult a doctor or a healthcare provider
to get a prescription.
 Understand the Prescription: Read the prescription
carefully. It includes details such as the patient's name, the
medication name, dosage, frequency, route of administration,
and duration of treatment.
 Fill the Prescription Correctly: Take the prescription to a
licensed pharmacy or a trusted healthcare provider to obtain
the medication. Ensure that the pharmacist understands any
specific instructions or concerns you have regarding the
medication.

8. Follow Dosage Instructions: Take the medication
exactly as prescribed. Don't alter the dosage or
frequency without consulting your healthcare provider.
Storage: Store medications properly according to the
instructions provided. Some medications need to be
refrigerated, while others need to be kept at room
temperature. Ensure they are out of reach of children
and pets.
Expiry Date: Check the expiry date on the medication.
Do not use expired medications, as they may be
ineffective or potentially harmful.
Dispose Properly: Dispose of unused or expired
medications safely. Many pharmacies have programs for
safe medication disposal. Do not flush medications down
the toilet unless the label or accompanying information
specifically instructs you to do so.

9. Sources of errors in prescription
 Prescription errors can occur due to various reasons, and
they can have serious consequences for patients. Here are
some common sources of errors in prescriptions:
 Illegible Handwriting: Poor handwriting by healthcare
providers can lead to misinterpretation of the prescribed
medication, dosage, or instructions by pharmacists or
patients.
 Abbreviations and Symbols: Healthcare professionals
often use abbreviations or symbols that might be misread
or misunderstood, leading to incorrect administration of
medication.
 Look-Alike/Sound-Alike Medications: Some
medications have names that look or sound similar to
others, causing confusion and resulting in the wrong
medication being dispensed.

10.  Incomplete or Inaccurate Information: Missing
information on a prescription, such as patient details,
medication dosage, frequency, or route of administration,
can lead to errors.
 Miscommunication: Inadequate communication
between healthcare providers, such as between a doctor
and a pharmacist, regarding the prescription details can
result in errors.
 Lack of Double-Checking: Failure to double-check
prescriptions by both the prescribing healthcare provider
and the pharmacist before dispensing can lead to errors
being overlooked.
 Drug Interactions or Allergies: Prescribing medication
without considering potential interactions with other
medications a patient is taking or known allergies can
lead to adverse reactions.
 Incorrect Dosing: Prescribing the wrong dosage, either
too high or too low, can result in ineffective treatment or
adverse effects.