Chapter 64
Reviewing and Dispensing Prescription and Medication Orders
Prescription vs medication order
Prescriptions vs Medication Orders
A prescription is an order for medications, products, or services written by a licensed or midlevel practitioner authorized to prescribe, for outpatient (ambulatory) use. A medication order is an order for medications by an authorized prescriber intended for patients in an institutional (inpatient) setting. Both may be written, oral (telephone), or electronic (fax or computer network). Collaborative drug therapy management (CDTM) lets pharmacists modify or order medications under agreed protocols.
Prescription
For ambulatory (outpatient) use
Setting
Includes quantity to dispense and refill information
Content
Medication Order
For institutional (inpatient) use
Setting
Includes route and administration instructions
Content
Refill Assumptions
If refill information is not supplied, it is generally assumed that NO refills are authorized. 'As needed' (prn) refills are usually interpreted as allowing refills for 1 year unless laws restrict the amount or period. The DEA number is required on a prescription only for controlled substances; the NPI number is also included.
📖 “Prescription: order by licensed/midlevel practitioner for ambulatory use; may be written/oral/electronic; CDTM lets pharmacists modify/order under protocols. Medication order: for institutional/inpatient use. Prescription elements: patient info, date, product name/form, strength, quantity, directions, refills, prescriber info (DEA for controlled substances only, NPI). No refill info = no refills; prn = 1 year.”