[PDF] Guide de prescription

How do I write a prescription?

The most important requirement is that the prescription be clear. It should be legible and indicate precisely what should be given. Few prescriptions are still written in Latin; the local language is preferred. If you include the following information, not much can go wrong. This is usually pre-printed on the form.

What are the essential tools in prescribing?

National essential drugs list, national formulary, hospital formulary, institutional and national treatment guidelines. These are essential tools in your prescribing, as they indicate which drugs are recommended and available in the health system. If these references do not exist: WHO Model List of Essential Drugs.

How long is a prescription valid?

In many countries the validity of a prescription has no time limit, but in some countries pharmacists do not give out drugs on prescriptions older than three to six months. You should check the rules in your own country. R/ (not Rx) is derived from Recipe (Latin for ‘take’).

How many tablets should a pharmacist dispense?

Maybe it is even too exact. Most pharmacists do not want to dispense quantities such as 105 ml or 49 tablets. They prefer rounded figures, such as 100 ml or 50 tablets, because calculating is easier and drugs are usually stocked or packed in such quantities. The quantity of tablets is much too high for this patient.