Interpretation of a Prescription

The ophthalmic medical assistant should know how to read the doctor’s prescription. On pad printed with the doctor’s name, the doctor may include the following information on the medical prescription.

• The patients name and address and the date of the prescriptions
• The name of the drug and its concentration or doz (strength)
• The total amount of the drug to be dispensed to the patient (the dispense quantity )
• The directions to the pharmacist abou8t what to type on the label of the drug usually written beside the abbreviation “sig” (for the Latin word signa’ meaning mark)
• The signature of the doctor
• Sometimes an indication to the pharmacist that the prescriptions can be refilled; for e.g. “ repeat X2”
• Sometimes an indication to the pharmacist that the name of the medication should be typed on the label
• Sometimes the doctor’s medical license number and DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) number, especially if the prescriptions is for a controlled substance such as narcotics.

• Prescription for some controlled drugs cannot be phoned into the pharmacy by the ophthalmic medical assistant. Additionally, special case should be taken in the office to keep prescriptions pads in a safe place where they cannot be taken or used by unauthorized individuals