The pharmacist should adopt the following procedures while handling the prescription for compounding and dispensing:
(i) Receiving
(ii) Reading and checking
(iii) Collecting and weighing the materials
(iv) Compounding, labeling and packaging
(i) Receiving
• The pharmacist should receive the prescription personally.
• While receiving a prescription from a patient, a pharmacist should maintain a neutral facial expression, avoiding any indication of confusion or surprise upon seeing the prescription.
(ii) Reading and checking
• After receiving the prescription, screen it behind the counter.
• Check the authenticity of the prescription, whether it is from a hospital slip, nursing home, or private practitioner. Verify the prescriber’s signature and the date of the prescription.
• The pharmacist should read all the lines and words of the prescription. They must not guess any word. If there is any doubt, the pharmacist should consult with the other pharmacist or the prescriber over the telephone.
3. Collecting and weighing the material
Before compounding a prescription, collect all the required materials from the shelves or drawers and place them on the left-hand side of the balance. After measuring, place each material on the right-hand side of the balance. After compounding the prescription, place the materials back on the shelves/drawers where you initially collected them.
While compounding, check the label of every container of material thrice in the following manner:
(i) When collected from the shelves/drawers.
(ii) Measure the materials.
(iii) Replace the containers with the shelves/drawers.
4. Compounding, labeling and packaging
• Compound only one prescription at a time.
• Perform compounding on a clean table.
• Clean and dry all required equipment.
• Prepare the preparation according to the prescriber’s direction or as per methods given in pharmacopeia or formulary following the established pharmaceutical art of compounding.
• The compounded preparations should be filled in suitable containers.
| Round vials | For tablets and capsules |
| Oval prescription bottles Narrow-mouthed | For liquids of low viscosity, e.g., mixtures, oral emulsions, etc. |
| Wide-mouthed bottles | For filling liquids of high viscosity, large quantities of tablets or capsules and bulk powders |
| Colored fluted bottles | For external preparations e.g. liniment and lotions |
| Ointment jars and collapsible tubes | For ointments, creams, or any other semisolid dosage forms. |
| Paper wrappers and envelops Paper wrappers and envelops Paper wrappers and envelops | For oral powders in divided doses |
| Dropper bottles | For eye drops and ear drops. |
| Sifter top containers | For dusting powders. |
Label the containers according to the prescriber. Provide any additional instructions if necessary.
Write the following information on the label:
| Type of preparation: | The Emulsion, The Mixture, The Powder, etc. Its quantity should also be mentioned. |
| For: | Name, Age, and Sex of the patient. |
| Date of dispensing: | Expiry date, if any: e.g., ‘Must be taken within seven days of dispensing.’ |
| Expiry date, if any: | e.g., ‘Must be taken within seven days of dispensing.’ |
| Directions for use: | e.g., ‘One teaspoonful thrice daily.’ |
| Storage condition: | e.g., ‘Keep in a cool place.’ |
| Secondary labeling: | e.g. ‘SHAKE THE BOTTLE BEFORE USE’ ‘FOR EXTERNAL USE ONLY’ etc. |
| Name and signature | of the pharmacist who dispensed |
| Name and Address | of the Pharmacy |
The container should be polished to remove any fingerprints.
• While delivering the preparation to the patient, the pharmacist should explain the mode of administration, direction for use, and storage.
