Prescription-strength information

Ensure that a legible prescription contains information such as the patient s full name the medication strength for pediatric patient, his or her weight in kilograms a list of instructions for the patient, including the purpose of medication and the number or amount of medication to be dispensed. 

Fung, M., Thorton, A., Mazbeck, K., Wu, J.H., Hombuckle, K., and Muniz, E. (2001). Evaluation of the characteristics of safety withdrawal of premarketing prescription drugs from worldwide pharmaceutical markets—1960 to 1999. Drug Information J. 35 293-317. Goldman, S.A. (1998). Limitations and strengths of spontaneous reports data. Clin. Ther. 201 Supplement C, CAO-58. 

It is a legal requirement to affix a prescription label on the immediate container of prescription medications. The pharmacist is responsible for the accuracy of the label. It should bear the name, address, and the telephone number of the pharmacy, the date of dispensing, the prescription number, the prescriber s name, the name and address of the patient, and the directions for use of the medication. Some states require additional information. The name and strength of the medication, and the refill directions are also written frequently. The label for a sample prescription is in Figure 3.2. 

In the hospital setting, drugs are prescribed on a particular page of the patient s hospital chart called the physician s order sheet (POS) or chart order. The contents of that prescription are specified in the medical staff rules by the hospital s Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee. The patient s name is typed or written on the form therefore, the orders consist of the name and strength of the medication, the dose, the route and frequency of administration, the date, other pertinent information, and the signature of the prescriber. If the duration of therapy or the number of doses is not specified (which is often the case), the medication is continued until the prescriber discontinues the order or until it is terminated as a matter of policy routine, eg, a stop-order policy. 

Prescribers should request that the name and strength (or concentration) of the prescribed medication be placed on the prescription label. This can be ensured by indicating the prescription should be labeled. Because this information is in the public health interest, most pharmacists routinely provide this information. 

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