Prescription Writing

Clinical Description

Note: Whenever possible, return all incomplete, inaccurate, illegible, or unclear prescriptions to the prescriber for clarification, completion, or correction, before dispensing

• Write all prescriptions legibly in ink. Poor writing may lead to errors in interpretation by the dispenser which may have harmful and possibly disastrous consequences for the patient.
• Write the full name and address of the patient, and sign and date the prescription form
• Write the name of the medicine or preparation using its full generic name. Do not use unofficial abbreviations, trade names, or obsolete names as these may cause confusion
• Always state the strength of the preparation required where relevant
• For solid dosage forms:
• Quantities of one gram or more should be written as 1g, 2.5g, 10g, etc.
• Quantities of less than one gram but more than one milligram should be written as milligrams rather than fractions of a gram, e.g., 500mg and not 0.5g
• Quantities less than one milligram should be expressed as micrograms (in full) and not as fractions of a milligram, e.g., 100 micrograms rather than 0.1 mg or 100mcg.
• If decimals are used, always write a zero in front of the decimal point where there is no other figure, e.g., 0.5ml and not .5ml
• Always state the full dose regimen, i.e.
• Dose size
• Dose frequency
• Duration of treatment
• The quantity to be dispersed will be deduced from this.
• Avoid use of the direction "to be used/taken as required". Instead state a suitable dose frequency. In the few cases where 'as required' is appropriate, the actual quantity to be supplied should be stated
• Avoid using unknown abbreviations for medicine. The following abbreviations can be used when writing a prescription:

b.d twice a day

IM Intramuscular

IV Intravenous mane in the morning n et m or n.m. night and morning nocte at night p.o. by mouth p.c. after meals prn when necessary q4h every 4hours q6h every 6hours q8h every 8hours q.i.d 4 times a day stat immediately or atonce sig Label t.d.s. 3 times a day

• For oral liquids, doses should be stated in terms of 5ml for a teaspoon and 15ml for a tablespoon
• Doses other than 5ml or 15ml or multiples of these will be diluted to the nearest equivalent 5ml or 15ml quantity for dispensing
• Where relevant, always remember to include on the prescription any special instructions necessary for the correct use of a medicine or preparation, e.g., "before food" etc.