A written or verbal order from a qualified medical practitioner to the pharmacist for a medication or medical procedure is called

• A. instruction
• B. prescription
• C. consent
• D. authorization

Answer: (B)

A prescription is a formal order from a licensed clinician directing a pharmacist to dispense a specific medication or to carry out a medical procedure. It serves as the legal document that ties the clinician’s treatment plan to the pharmacy’s dispensing actions, ensuring the patient receives the right drug, at the right dose, by the right route, and for the correct duration.

This type of order can be written, electronic, or verbal under certain regulations, and it typically includes essential details such as the patient’s name, the medication or procedure, dosage or instructions, frequency, quantity, and the prescriber’s signature or authorization. That combination of patient-specific details and clinical instruction is what makes a prescription distinct from other terms.

Why this is the best fit: an instruction is a general directive, not specifically the formal authorization to dispense a drug; consent is the patient’s agreement to undergo treatment; authorization is broader permission that may come from various authorities and doesn’t alone convey the specific medication or procedure, the way a prescription does.