What should a pharmacy technician verify before dispensing a prescription?

Before dispensing a prescription, a pharmacy technician must verify patient identification and medication accuracy to ensure patient safety and the effective use of medications. This involves confirming the identity of the patient receiving the medication to prevent errors such as providing the wrong drug to the wrong individual. Ensuring medication accuracy confirms that the correct drug, dosage, and directions are being dispensed as per the prescribing physician's intent.

Verifying patient identification is crucial because it helps to avoid medication errors that could lead to harmful consequences. Checking the medication's accuracy involves a thorough review of the prescription for any possible errors, including the drug name, dosage form, strength, quantity, and instructions for use. This process is a key part of the pharmacy technician's responsibilities, as it supports patient safety and compliance with legal and ethical standards in pharmacy practice.