ACP has reviewed and modernized the information available to pharmacy teams about proper transmission of prescriptions and has released it in a new Advice to the professions document.
New technologies (e.g., Connect Care or PrescribeIT) and changing patient expectations mean pharmacists and pharmacy technicians have seen a shift in how prescriptions are transmitted to them from prescribers. While some new and different methods can be acceptable, regardless of the method used, regulated members are required by Standard 6 of the Standards of Practice for Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians to always ensure that the prescription is current, authentic, complete, and appropriate before dispensing. Regulated members also continue to have a responsibility to protect the confidentiality of the patient, and to ensure that accurate records are created and maintained in the dispensary of the pharmacy or an approved off-site storage.
The new advice document covers the specifics of
- acceptable methods of prescription transmission,
- hand-written and electronic signatures,
- transmission of Tracked Prescription Program (TPP) drugs, and
- patients providing an image or description of a prescription to a regulated member in advance.
