Resolution #11(11) APhA-ASP Inclusion of Diagnosis Indication on Prescriptions APhA-ASP promotes the inclusion of drug use diagnosis indications in prescription directions by prescribers to increase patient understanding of medications and reduce dispens

R2 PRT: Diagnosis Indication on Prescriptions - Wording/action:
(11) APhA-ASP Inclusion of Diagnosis Indication on Prescriptions
APhA-ASP promotes the inclusion of drug use diagnosis indications in prescription directions by prescribers to increase patient understanding of medications and reduce dispensing errors.

Reasons for the Action(s) / Pros and Cons:
A good percentage of patients do not know a medication by its name, but simply as “the blood pressure pill” or “the lipid pill”. By urging prescribers to write the diagnostic indication on the prescription for the patient, it will increase the patient’s knowledge of his or her medications. Many patients write what they take a drug for on the bottle themselves, showing evidence that the inclusion of this information would be beneficial to patients. Indications on prescriptions may also decrease prescribing errors as it adds another point to check for pharmacists on the final prescription verification. Example directions would be Hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg; take 1 capsule in the morning (blood pressure) or take 1 capsule in the morning for blood pressure. Note: Indications are italicized.

Brian Deihl ; 570 220 0195 ; brian.deihl@wilkes.edu ; Wilkes University Nesbitt School of Pharmacy