Title: Process a prescription or medication order.
Course: Pharmacy Technician II (14152-II) > Section: Assisting the Pharmacist in Serving Patients

Processing should include the following steps:

- Enter prescription or medication order information into the patient profile.
- Be aware of error-prone abbreviations, and sound-alike, look-alike drugs (SALAD, also called LASA); tall-man lettering.
- Select the product(s) for a generic prescription or medication order.
- Select the product(s) for a brand-name prescription or medication order (consulting established formulary as appropriate).
- Obtain medications or devices from the inventory.
- Check medication and/or device expiration date.
- Measure, count, or calculate finished dosage forms for dispensing.
- Record preparation of a prescription or medication, including any special requirements for controlled substances.
- Package finished dosage forms (e.g., blister pack, vial).
- Affix label(s) and auxiliary label(s) to container(s).
- Assemble patient information materials.
- Check for accuracy during processing of the prescription or medication order (e.g., matching National Drug Code [NDC] number).
- Verify the measurements, preparation, and/or packaging of medications produced by other technicians.
- Prepare the prescription or medication order for the final check by the pharmacist.

See ASHP 3.4, 3.5.

Code of Virginia Statutes Related to Pharmacy Technicians

- Code §54.1-3408.01 — Requirements for prescriptions
- Code §54.1-3408.02 — Transmission of prescriptions
- Code §54.1-3408.03 — Dispensing of therapeutically equivalent drug products

Virginia Administrative Code Regulations Governing the Practice of Pharmacy

- 18VAC110-20-270 — Dispensing of prescriptions; certification of completed prescriptions; supervision of pharmacy technicians
- 18VAC110-20-275 — Delivery of dispensed prescriptions
- 18VAC110-20-280 — Transmission of a prescription order by facsimile machine
- 18VAC110-20-285 — Electronic transmission of prescriptions from prescriber to pharmacy
- 18VAC110-20-290 — Dispensing of Schedule II drugs
- 18VAC110-20-320 — Refilling of Schedule III through VI prescriptions
- 18VAC110-20-330 — Labeling of prescription as to content and quantity
- 18VAC110-20-350 — Special packaging
- 18VAC110-20-355 — Pharmacy repackaging of drug; records required; labeling requirements

Process/Skill Questions:

- Why is each step of the order process important?
- What is the difference between quater in die ("q.i.d" ) and every hour ("q.h.")?
- What are common abbreviations used to indicate the route of administration?
- Why do drugs have lot numbers and expiration dates?
- Why is a basic knowledge of human biological functions important when processing a prescription or medication order?
- What are an open formulary and a closed formulary, and what is the importance of each?
- What abbreviations are on the "Do Not Use" list as recommended by The Joint Commission (TJC) and Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP)?
- What are common auxiliary labels affixed to containers?
- What are the state regulations for tech-to-tech checking of prepared products?
- Why is verification of the NDC number vitally important?