If you suspect forgery on a prescription, what is the appropriate step?

• A. Call the prescriber to verify the quantity
• B. Fill the prescription and dispense
• C. Ignore the concern
• D. Notify the patient

Answer: (A)

When forgery is suspected, the key step is to verify with the prescriber before taking any action with the prescription. This ensures the prescription is authentic and that the quantity and other details are correct, protecting the patient from potential harm and maintaining legal and professional standards. By contacting the prescriber or their office, you get an authoritative confirmation and create a record of the verification. If the prescriber can’t be reached immediately, follow your pharmacy’s escalation process and document the attempts and outcome. Do not dispense, ignore the concern, or disclose details to the patient without proper verification, as that could lead to dangerous mistakes or policy violations.