What should a pharmacist check when receiving a transfer of a prescription?

When a pharmacist receives a transfer of a prescription, it is crucial to check the validity of the original prescription. This step is important because the pharmacist needs to ensure that the prescription is both legitimate and still valid for dispensing. Validity involves confirming that the prescription was issued for a legitimate medical purpose by a licensed prescriber and has not expired or been altered. Additionally, checking for any potential issues, such as whether it was written by someone who is authorized to write the prescription, is essential to prevent errors and ensure patient safety.

While patient’s insurance information, the history of the patient’s prescriptions, and the pharmacy’s location may all be relevant in different contexts, they do not directly address the fundamental compliance and safety aspects that come with prescription validity. Therefore, focusing on the validity of the original prescription is the most critical action a pharmacist must take when dealing with transfers.