A prescription is an order from a practitioner or an authorized agent to a pharmacist for a dangerous drug to be dispensed, stating required information. Which term describes this order?

• A. Prescription
• B. Order
• C. Note
• D. Authorization

Answer: (A)

A prescription is the formal, patient-specific instruction from a licensed practitioner (or their authorized agent) to a pharmacist to dispense a dangerous drug. It includes the essential details needed to fill the drug correctly—such as patient name, drug name and strength, dosage form, directions for use, quantity, date, and prescriber information. This combination of directing dispensing to a specific patient and containing the required elements is what distinguishes a prescription from other terms. An ordinary order is a broader directive that may not carry the formal dispensing requirements, a note is just clinical communication, and an authorization is simply permission without the complete, patient-specific dispensing details.