Topic overview

Start with the big picture

Prescription categories include acute, repeat, controlled-drug, private, NHS, veterinary, emergency or telephone, and electronic prescriptions. A valid prescription must include patient and prescriber details, the date, medicine information, directions, quantity, and the required signature. Additional rules apply to controlled-drug and repeat prescriptions, while electronic prescriptions use a digital signature. Emergency supply at a patient’s request requires a record and notification to the prescriber; faxed or telephone orders are not legal prescriptions. Dispensing labels identify the patient, pharmacy, medicine, directions, and quantity, with cautionary wording where appropriate. Compounded products and certain liquids or preparations need further details, such as storage conditions, concentration, or route-specific instructions. The deeper lesson also addresses pharmacist endorsement and the prescription-to-dispensing workflow.