Principles of Prescription Writing

Principles of Prescription Writing

• Dr Sanjeewani Fonseka
• Department of Pharmacology

History

• Prescriptions have been in use since ancient times
• Latin adopted as standard language
• “Rx” = prescription

Prescription drug

• drug that requires a prescription because it is considered potentially harmful if not used under the supervision of a licensed health care practitioner

Definition

• A prescription is a written, verbal, or electronic order from a practitioner or designated agent to a pharmacist for a particular medication for a specific patient.

Writing Prescriptions Who can write a Rx?

• Practitioners
• Physicians, veterinarians, dentists

Prescription Formatting

• Heading
• Body
• Closing

Current Prescription Formatting

• Heading
• Body
• Closing