The following are rules actually in use in several pharmacies employing one to three assistants, and they may be found more applicable than the foregoing, which are specially intended for such places as the Stores.

Preparing Prescriptions

Prescriptions must be prepared as soon as possible after they are received, and when a prescription is left to be compounded, and the customer says he will call for it at a certain time, every possible effort must be made to have it ready before the time specified.

Prescriptions must be dispensed with the greatest neatness and elegance. Corks should be sealed, the bottle or box neatly wrapped in white paper and sealed, and use flint bottles, porcelain jars, and the best quality of boxes. If the prescription has the name of the patient on it, write the name on the label.

Doubtful Prescriptions

When a prescription is received about which there is doubt as to whether the physician intended it as written, or when there is reasonable doubt as to what is prescribed, do not dispense the medicine.

If the customer is not in haste, and time can be gained for the purpose, send to the doctor privately a note of inquiry, otherwise hand the prescription back to the customer and request him to see the doctor about it.

If the formula for a preparation used in a prescription is not uniform, or is liable to be compounded in various ways, the dispenser must write in the margin of the prescription the exact formula he has used.

Unsightly Mixtures

No unsightly or incompatible mixture is allowed to be sent out of this pharmacy until the principal's attention has been drawn to the same and every legitimate means tried to make a sightly and elegant compound.

Pills

In preparing a prescription of pills, mention in the prescription-book the kind and quantity of excipient used in compounding them ; the same with suppositories.

Blistering-plasters. - In preparing or spreading emp. canthar. always paint the plaster over afterwards with the ethereal solution of cantharidis.[This was before the B.P., 1914, officialised the Cantharid in preparation. - Ed. ]

Renewals

In renewals the soiled labels must be renewed, and, if necessary, the bottle washed. This applies also to pills and powders. [Always give fresh containers if customer does not object.- Ed.]

Responsibilities

Whoever dispenses a prescription in this pharmacy will be held personally responsible for any mistake in compounding The fact of the wrong drug having been put in the shop-bottle by another assistant will not relieve the dispenser from responsibility, his duty being to examine critically every article he dispenses.

To avoid mistakes permit no talking while you are preparing pre-scriptions.

No substitution is permitted in prescriptions under any circumstances. Any article in a prescription which is not in stock must be procured, and the customer informed of delay.

Poisons

Poisons to be taken internally may be labelled 'Drop with care 'or 'Use with caution.' But, unless so directed by the physician, the word 'Poison ' must not be written on the label.

Pricing

When a high-price prescription has been put up, or one that seems dear according to its bulk, always explain to the customer that it is an expensive preparation, and that it is put at as low a price as possible.

The bottle or jar used in a prescription is always charged extra, and in entering the price on a prescription it must be for the medicine only, the bottle or jar being charged for according to the price-list.

Prescription-counter. - The prescription-assistant will see that his counters are kept perfectly clean and neat. As soon as a prescription is checked off return the hand-bottles to their places on the shelves and clean up all the utensils used.

Address Of Patient

Inquire the name and address of every person who leaves a prescription to be prepared, and write it on the back of prescription in pencil.

Messenger

When a child or a servant is sent for a prescription always write the price on the package in plain figures in ink.

Prices Of Goods Sold To Physicians

If drugs or prescriptions for their own family use, charge them from one-half to two-thirds the regular price according to the medicine.