Physicians are responsible for prescribing and dispensing. Pharmacists have a corresponding responsibility to fill those prescriptions appropriately.
In short, enforcement actions against pharmacies occur most often when pharmacists fail to exercise their corresponding responsibility as addressed by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) in the USA.
One of the obvious methods to deter prescription drug abuse and a legal obligation both for prescribers and pharmacists is to ensure Controlled Substances are being issued for a legitimate medical purpose as required by the Controlled Substances Act.
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Top Pharmacist Duties and Responsibilities:
Dispense Prescriptions: This is the “filling, licking, and sticking” most people imagine when they conjure a mental image of a pharmacist counting out tablets, preparing a bottle label, and handling medications for patients.
Communicate With Prescribers: Any time a prescription order is unclear or potentially harmful for a patient, you need to confirm the dosage and formulation (e.g., liquid or tablet), as well as whether a brand name product is required or if you can substitute a generic equivalent.
Ensure Patients’ Safety: Check each patient’s medication record every time he or she gets a new or refilled prescription. This is the best way for a pharmacist to prevent potentially dangerous interactions between drugs.
Counsel Patients: This involves more than informing about adverse reactions and interactions with other medications, food, alcohol, and other beverages like grapefruit juice. Counseling includes training patients on how and when to take doses, following up with patients to see if medications are working, sharing tips on how to minimize side effects while maximizing benefits, and listening to all of a patient’s concerns.
Educate Health Provider Colleagues: Be aware of Doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers about new medications and drug therapy protocols.
What to do if an Accusation against a Pharmacist?
Pharmacists must use their professional judgment to resolve Corresponding Responsibility. A partnership between the legitimate healthcare provider and pharmacist assists pharmacists in satisfying their legal obligation and ensures patients have the best outcomes.
California Pharmacy Attorneys discussed reimbursement for the enhanced patient care and medication services required for the future of community-based pharmacy practice.
At the Marcarian Law Firm, Pharmacist Attorney California handled some of the most significant corresponding responsibility cases against pharmacies and pharmacists in the state.