If a pharmacist receives a new prescription for a commercially available cream, what should they do?

In the context of pharmacy practice, when a pharmacist receives a new prescription for a commercially available cream, the appropriate action is to evaluate the prescription in conjunction with state laws and pharmacy board regulations.

If the prescription is for a commercially available medication, the pharmacist should verify whether the patient has a legitimate medical need for the prescription, especially if the cream is widely available over-the-counter (OTC). In Massachusetts, pharmacists have a responsibility to ensure that they are not filling prescriptions for medications that could be obtained without a prescription unless there is a clear medical justification. This is also to prevent confusion or potential misuse of prescription medication.

Further, if the pharmacist determines that the cream is indeed commercially available and intended for general use without specific medical supervision, they may decide that it is more appropriate to counsel the patient on obtaining the product OTC rather than filling the prescription. This helps maintain the integrity of the prescription system and ensures that patients use products safely and effectively.

Thus, a decision to not fill the prescription aligns with the responsibility of pharmacists to ensure that the medications dispensed are necessary and appropriate for the patient’s condition, promoting responsible pharmacy practice.