If a change is made to a prescription after it has been dispensed, what must the pharmacist do?

• A. Notify the prescriber of the change
• B. Document the change in a separate file
• C. Log must be maintained of all changes made to the prescription record
• D. Backdate the prescription to reflect the change

Answer: (C)

Maintaining an auditable trail of any changes to a prescription after it has been dispensed is essential. When something about the prescription is altered—whether the dose, directions, quantity, or patient details—the pharmacist should record a clear entry in the prescription record that notes what changed, when the change was made, who authorized it, and the reason for the change. This creates a complete history that supports accountability, patient safety, and regulatory compliance, and it allows the record to be reviewed or investigated later if questions arise.

So, the required action is to keep a log of all changes to the prescription record. Simply notifying the prescriber or storing changes in a separate file does not provide the integrated, auditable history within the patient’s prescription record, and backdating the change is inappropriate and illegal.