What is required to be noted when providing a copy of a prescription to a patient?

When providing a copy of a prescription to a patient, it is important to indicate that it is a "copy, not refillable - for reference purposes only." This designation clarifies the status of the prescription for both the patient and any other healthcare providers who might view the document later. It helps prevent any misunderstandings regarding the validity of the prescription for obtaining medication or for making refills, as it emphasizes that this is not an original prescription that can be acted upon to obtain medication from a pharmacy.

Including such a note on the copy ensures that patients understand the limitations of the document, thereby mitigating the risk of misuse or confusion. This is particularly important in maintaining compliance with pharmacy regulations, which are designed to protect both patients and healthcare providers by clearly distinguishing between an original and a copy of a prescription.

While patient consent, the prescriber’s name, and the date of the original prescription may be important pieces of information, they are not explicitly required to be noted on a copy of the prescription. The main focus is ensuring that the patient recognizes the document’s limitations through the specific wording provided.