What must a pharmacist do upon receiving a follow-up prescription?

When a pharmacist receives a follow-up prescription, it is essential to document specific details on the face of the prescription. This practice ensures that there is a clear and accurate record of the prescription's contents, such as any changes in dosage, quantity, or directions for use. This becomes crucial for ensuring patient safety and maintaining proper medication management. By annotating the prescription, the pharmacist also creates a transparent record that can be referenced in future interactions with both the patient and healthcare providers.

Maintaining detailed records helps pharmacists verify that the medication being dispensed aligns with the patient's ongoing treatment plan, reinforces the importance of accurate communication, and fulfills legal requirements for record-keeping in the pharmacy practice. This documentation can serve as a defense in any potential disputes regarding the prescription or the patient's therapy.

In contrast, other options may not comply with legal or ethical guidelines. For instance, filing the prescription without any record fails to capture important information, while notifying the patient or sending for confirmation could be part of good communication practices but do not address the immediate need for proper documentation on the prescription itself.