prescribing

Prescribing is the act of authorizing the use of a medical product or device for a patient by a licensed professional. It typically involves selecting an appropriate medicine, dosage, route of administration, and duration based on the patient’s diagnosis, medical history, and current therapies.

Prescribers include physicians, dentists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and, in some jurisdictions, pharmacists and veterinarians. The specific authority to prescribe controlled substances or to prescribe certain drug types is defined by national or regional law and professional regulation.

The prescribing process generally includes clinical assessment, diagnosis, evaluation of risks and benefits, consideration of patient preferences and allergies, and documentation. A prescription should specify the drug name, strength, dosage form, route, dosing frequency, duration, quantity, and instructions for use; refills should be indicated if applicable.

Prescriptions can be written, electronic, or verbal under certain circumstances. Electronic prescribing is common and reduces errors. Prescribing controlled substances often requires additional verification, recordkeeping, and regulatory compliance, including tamper-resistant formats and secure transmission.

Safety and ethics: Prescribers monitor outcomes, check for drug interactions, counsel patients on usage and potential adverse effects, and perform medication reconciliation. Principles of antibiotic stewardship and avoidance of unnecessary medications are important to patient safety.

Regulation and quality: Prescribing practice is governed by licensing boards, professional codes of conduct, and health-system policies. Documentation, privacy, and adherence to evidence-based guidelines are essential, along with continuing medical education to maintain competency.