Unit 1 Section A Answers
1. Define Prescription.
A prescription is a written, verbal, or electronic
order given by a registered medical practitioner (RMP) or other
authorized healthcare professional that specifies the name of the patient,
details of the medicine, dosage, form, and directions for its use. It
serves as a legal document that allows the pharmacist to prepare and
dispense the prescribed medication to the patient. A prescription typically
includes several parts such as the superscription (Rx symbol), inscription
(medicinal ingredients), subscription (instructions to the pharmacist), and
signature (directions to the patient).
It plays a crucial role in ensuring the safe, effective, and rational use of
medicines and helps in maintaining a record of the treatment given.
2. In which year was the most recent edition of Indian
Pharmacopoeia published, and how many volumes does it contain?
The most recent edition of the Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP)
was published in the year 2022 by the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission
(IPC), Ghaziabad.
The Indian Pharmacopoeia 2022 consists of four volumes, which
include official standards for drugs, excipients, dosage forms, and
biological products used in India.
This edition provides updated monographs, revised analytical methods, and new
standards to ensure quality, purity, identity, and strength of
pharmaceutical substances in India, keeping pace with the latest
advancements in pharmaceutical science and global regulatory requirements.
3. Who is considered the father of pharmacy education in
India?
Professor Mahadeva Lal Schroff is regarded as the Father
of Pharmacy Education in India.
He played a pioneering role in establishing formal pharmacy education in
the country and in developing the pharmacy profession as a recognized branch of
science.
In 1932, he introduced the first pharmacy course at Banaras Hindu University
(BHU), marking the beginning of systematic pharmacy education in India.
His vision and dedication laid the foundation for the development of
pharmacy as a professional and academic discipline, leading to the
establishment of several colleges, the Indian Pharmaceutical Association (IPA),
and the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI).
4. What do the symbols Rx and Signature mean in a
prescription?
- Rx
(Superscription):
The symbol “Rx” is derived from the Latin word “Recipe,” which means “Take thou” or “You take.” It indicates the beginning of the prescription and is an instruction from the physician to the pharmacist to prepare the medicine as directed.
It represents the authority of the prescriber and symbolizes the process of compounding or dispensing a medication. - Signature
(Sig or Signa):
The Signature, written as “Sig” or “Signa,” comes from the Latin word meaning “to write.”
This part of the prescription contains directions for the patient regarding how, when, and in what quantity the medicine should be taken (for example, “Take one tablet twice daily after meals”).
It ensures that the patient uses the medication correctly and safely as intended by the physician.
5. Define the term “Compendia.”
The term “Compendia” refers to a collection of
authoritative reference books or documents that provide official
standards, specifications, and procedures for the identity, purity,
strength, and quality of drugs and pharmaceutical substances.
Each country or region maintains its own compendium, known as a pharmacopoeia,
which serves as a legal and scientific standard for the manufacture and
testing of drugs.
Examples of compendia include:
- Indian
Pharmacopoeia (IP) – India
- British
Pharmacopoeia (BP) – United Kingdom
- United
States Pharmacopoeia (USP) – United States
- European
Pharmacopoeia (EP) – Europe
Compendia are essential for maintaining uniformity,
reliability, and safety in pharmaceutical products across the world.
6. Outline the Handling of Prescriptions.
Proper handling of prescriptions is a critical
responsibility of pharmacists to ensure accuracy, safety, and
confidentiality. The process involves several important steps:
- Receiving
the Prescription:
The pharmacist carefully receives the prescription from the patient and checks that it is complete, legible, and signed by a registered medical practitioner. - Checking
for Authenticity and Clarity:
The pharmacist verifies the prescriber’s credentials and ensures that there are no errors, ambiguities, or potential drug interactions. If necessary, clarification is sought from the doctor. - Interpretation:
The pharmacist interprets the symbols, abbreviations, dosage, and instructions written in the prescription correctly. - Preparation
and Labeling:
The prescribed medication is accurately prepared, measured, or counted. Proper labeling is done, mentioning the drug name, strength, dosage instructions, storage conditions, and warnings. - Dispensing:
The medication is handed over to the patient or caregiver with proper instructions for use. - Counseling
the Patient:
The pharmacist educates the patient on how to take the medication correctly, possible side effects, and precautions to be followed. - Record
Keeping:
A copy or record of the prescription is maintained for legal and professional purposes.
Proper handling ensures patient safety, prevention
of medication errors, and compliance with legal and ethical standards.
7. Define Dosage Forms.
Dosage forms are the physical forms in which drugs
are produced and administered to achieve the desired therapeutic effect.
They are designed to deliver the drug to the body in a safe, effective, and
convenient manner.
A dosage form contains the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) along
with excipients (inactive substances) that help in drug stability,
absorption, and patient acceptability.
Common types of dosage forms include:
- Solid
dosage forms: Tablets, capsules, powders, and granules
- Liquid
dosage forms: Syrups, solutions, suspensions, and elixirs
- Semi-solid
dosage forms: Ointments, creams, gels, and pastes
- Gaseous
dosage forms: Inhalers, aerosols, and nebulizers
The choice of dosage form depends on factors like the
drug’s properties, route of administration, desired onset of action, and
patient needs.
Proper formulation of dosage forms ensures maximum therapeutic efficiency,
stability, and patient compliance.
