Access to many potent medicines is controlled for safety. A prescription is a written or electronic order by a licensed clinician authorizing a pharmacist to dispense a specific medication to a named patient.

It includes the drug name, strength, dose, route, frequency, quantity, and refills, along with patient and prescriber identifiers. Legal requirements vary by jurisdiction and by drug schedule. Electronic prescribing reduces errors from illegible handwriting and enables interaction checking.

Pharmacists review prescriptions for appropriateness and counsel patients. For controlled substances, additional safeguards limit diversion. A clear prescription is the bridge between clinical decision and safe medication use at home.

• Authorized order for a specific medication
• Contains drug, dose, route, frequency, and quantity
• Issued by licensed prescribers to pharmacists
• Subject to legal and safety controls