Prescription procedures in USA?

Question

I'm writing a paper about the "conscience clause" in the USA. Can anyone tell me what is the procedure that your prescription undergoes when in pharmacy. Because I keep reading about "filling prescriptions"... What is that?

Answer 1

A prescription comes into a pharmacy. First, the pharmacist checks to make sure the prescription is complete and has all the required elements. The information normally gets typed into the computer system by the pharm tech. The pharmacist then looks to see if the actual prescription is fine, i.e. correct dose, no drug interactions, etc. If any problem arises, the pharmacist will contact the prescriber and ask for clarification. If there is not any problems, it will be filled and then sold to the patient. The paper prescription is then filed away. If a pharmacist does not feel comfortable with the prescription and cannot get it changed, the pharmacist has the right to refuse to fill it.
The conscience clause has to do with feeling the prescription is against your moral beliefs. This first became an issue with pharmacists with the legalization of assisted suicide in Oregon. Many pharmacists felt it was against their training to help people die.