Who is responsible for reviewing the patient profile prior to dispensing any prescription?

The responsibility for reviewing the patient profile prior to dispensing any prescription falls to the pharmacist. This is an essential part of the medication dispensing process, as the pharmacist must assess the patient's medication history, allergies, current medications, and potential drug interactions. This review helps to ensure that the treatment is safe and appropriate for the patient’s specific health conditions.

Pharmacy interns may assist in gathering patient information and facilitating the process, but the ultimate responsibility lies with the licensed pharmacist, who has the training and legal authority to make clinical judgments regarding medication therapy. Registered pharmacy technicians play a vital role in the dispensing process, but they work under the supervision of a pharmacist and cannot make the final decision without the pharmacist’s review. Pharmacy assistants typically perform clerical and support tasks and do not have the authority or training to evaluate medication appropriateness in the same manner as a pharmacist.