Verification (Pharmacist Final Check)
Verification is the process by which a pharmacist performs a final check of a filled prescription to confirm the correct drug, dose, dosage form, quantity, and labeling before the medication is dispensed to the patient, serving as the last safety checkpoint in the dispensing workflow.
Exam Tip
Verification = pharmacist final check before dispensing. ONLY pharmacists verify in retail. Tech-check-tech exists in some hospital settings. Pharmacist checks: right drug, strength, form, quantity, patient, and label.
What Is Verification in Pharmacy?
Verification (also called the pharmacist final check or product verification) is a critical quality assurance step in the prescription dispensing process. It is the pharmacist's responsibility to verify that every aspect of a filled prescription is correct before the medication reaches the patient.
What the Pharmacist Verifies
| Check Point | What Is Verified |
|---|---|
| Correct drug | Right medication matches the prescription |
| Correct strength | Proper dosage strength |
| Correct dosage form | Tablet, capsule, liquid, etc. matches Rx |
| Correct quantity | Right number of units dispensed |
| Correct patient | Medication is for the right person |
| Correct label | All label information is accurate |
| Drug utilization review | No interactions, allergies, duplications |
| Auxiliary labels | Appropriate warning/instruction stickers |
Dispensing Workflow and Verification
| Step | Who Performs | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Prescription intake | Technician | Receive and enter Rx into system |
| 2. DUR screening | Computer/Pharmacist | Automated interaction/allergy checks |
| 3. Filling/counting | Technician | Select drug, count, package |
| 4. Final verification | Pharmacist | Check everything before dispensing |
| 5. Patient counseling | Pharmacist | Offer/provide counseling (OBRA-90) |
Tech-Check-Tech (TCT) Programs
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| What it is | Certified technicians verify other technicians' work (in select settings) |
| Where allowed | Some states, primarily in institutional/hospital settings |
| Pharmacist role | Pharmacist still performs clinical review (DUR) |
| Limitation | Not available in retail pharmacy in most states |
Common Verification Errors Caught
- Wrong drug selected (similar packaging or name)
- Incorrect quantity counted
- Wrong strength dispensed
- Label errors (wrong directions, patient name)
- Missing auxiliary labels
- Expired medication used
Exam Alert
Verification falls under the Patient Safety and Quality Assurance domain on the PTCE. Know that ONLY pharmacists can perform the final verification in retail settings, that tech-check-tech is limited to institutional settings in some states, and that verification is the LAST step before the medication reaches the patient.
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Related Terms
Drug Utilization Review (DUR)
Drug utilization review (DUR) is a systematic process of evaluating prescription drug use to ensure medications are used appropriately, safely, and effectively, as mandated by OBRA-90 for Medicaid patients.
OBRA-90 (Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990)
OBRA-90 is a federal law that mandated prospective drug utilization review (DUR), patient counseling by pharmacists, and maintenance of patient medication profiles for all Medicaid prescription recipients.
Sig Codes (Prescription Abbreviations)
Sig codes are standardized abbreviations derived primarily from Latin used on prescriptions to communicate directions for medication use, including frequency, route, timing, and special instructions.
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