What is Prescription? Types and Contents of Medical Prescription?

What is prescription and Prescription Definition?

Prescription is defined as a written, printed or in any other form document issued by a Registered Medical Practitioner or any other licensed practitioners e.g. Dentist, Veterinarian, BAMS etc which directs or instruct to a Registered Pharmacist to compound and/or dispense a specific type and quantity of preparation or prefabricated drug to a Patient or his/her caretaker.

Prescription is a way of communication between physician and pharmacist in which physician and other healthcare professionals authorized pharmacist to dispense or compound a specific prescription drug for a specific patient or caretaker. It is often abbreviated ℞ or Rx.

The prescription includes information such as the patient’s name, the medication name, strength and dosage form, the dose and frequency of administration, and the number of refills allowed, if any. The prescription serves as a legal document that authorizes the patient to receive the medication, and it also provides important instructions for the pharmacist to accurately dispense the medication and for the patient to use it safely and effectively.

It’s important for patients to follow the instructions on their prescription and to ask their pharmacist or healthcare provider any questions they may have about their medication.

Under Drug and Cosmetic Act

Under Drug and Cosmetic Act, 1945, A Prescription should have following particulars:

“For the purposes of clause (9) a prescription shall

(a) be in writing and be signed by the person giving it with his usual signature and be dated by him;
(b) specify the name and address of the person for whose treatment it is given, or the name and address of the owner of the animal if the drug is meant for veterinary use;
(c) indicate the total amount of the medicine to be supplied and the dose to be taken.”

Contents of the Prescription :

Prescribers office information: Name, qualification, address & Regn. No.
Patient information: Name & address, Age, Sex, Ref. No.
Date
Rx Symbol (Known as Superscription Part)
Medication Prescribed (Known as Inscription Part)
Dispensing directions to Pharmacist (Known as Subscription Part)
Directions for patient to be placed on label
Refill, Special labeling and /or other instructions
Prescriber’s signature and license (or) Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) number as required.

Types of Prescription:

Prescription for Extemporaneous preparations
Prescription for Official preparations
Prescription for Patent preparations

Let discuss more about Types of Prescription. Content of the prescription is clearly defined and don’t require any further elaboration to under. but many readers will be confused about types of prescription.

1. Prescription for Extemporaneous preparations:

Extemporaneous Preparations are the preparations who are compounded to fit the unique needs of a patient by process of mixing drugs or modifying the concentration of a drug from that of the original manufacturer by a Pharmacist. Prescription containing Extemporaneous preparation is known as Prescription of Extemporaneous preparations. This process involve risk for the safety of patient and medical professionals. So Practitioner and pharmacist should follow strict regulation while compounding and Dispensing these preparations. These preparations can only be compounded if appropriate drugs or dosage form not available.

2. Prescription for Official preparations:

Prescription containing medicines which are available in market as ready made form and available for dispensing only, no requirement of compounding for theses preparations.

3. Prescription for Patent preparations:

Preparations that are prescribed come under patent law. Patented preparations includes preparations that are distributed by a company having a patent on its manufacture.

Questions and Answers:

Question: Which part of the prescription contains information regarding medicine?
Answer: Inscription Part of the prescription contains information regarding medicine.

Question: What is the meaning of rx in pharmacy?
Answer: Rx meaning in pharmacy is prescription.

Question: Which part of prescription called subscription?
Answer: Subscription part contains information regarding dispensing directions to the pharmacist by physician.

Question: How many types of prescription?
Answer: There are generally three types of prescriptions.

Hope above information is helpful to you…
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