(5) Check for the availability of the prescribed drug and/or dosage form. Any
generic equivalent may be substituted for a trade name drug when the drug is
prescribed by a military physician. In MTF located in any state where product selection
by the pharmacist is not authorized, the generic equivalent will not be substituted
(generic substitution) for a brand name drug on a civilian prescription without the prior
approval of the prescriber. The patient should be informed if a substitution to another
trade name or a different looking drug of the same generic equivalent is made on a refill.
(6) Distinguish between controlled and non-controlled medications. A
prescription for a controlled substance must contain the prescriber's signature, branch
of service, social security number, and name (stamped, typed or hand printed) as well
as the patient's name and address.
(7) Assign a prescription number. A separate set of prescription numbers
must be used for: regular prescriptions (non-controlled drugs), Note Q drugs, and Note
R drugs. Prescriptions should be numbered consecutively.
b. Interpret the Prescription.
(1) Interpret the inscription (name and strength of the drug). You must be
able to use trade names and generic names interchangeably. You must be able to
interpret pharmaceutical Latin and to convert from apothecary systems to the metric
system and vice versa. Be careful to distinguish between sound-alike drugs (that is,
Tofranil and Terfonil, Indocin and Minocin) and look-alike drugs (that is, Doxidan--
Doriden, Ovral--Uval, and Hiprex--Herplex).
(2) Interpret the subscription (directions to the pharmacy). You must
interpret pharmaceutical Latin, abbreviations, Roman numerals, and other medical
terminology. Perform all calculations with 100 percent accuracy. Furthermore, check
your calculations to ensure accuracy.
(3) Interpret the signa (directions to the patient). Interpret Latin
abbreviations, pharmaceutical symbols, and other medical terminology.
c. Evaluate the Prescription.
(1) Check or verify the dosage, the dosage regimen, and the quantity of
drug to be dispensed. Physician approved changes must be annotated and initialed on
the prescription form. If discrepancies in the prescription are noted, the appropriate
professional personnel must be contacted for verification. If the drug package inserts
do not provide the required information, other pharmaceutical references should be
consulted.
MD0810
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