What should a pharmacist do if they encounter a poor fax copy?

• A. Verify the prescription details with the prescriber.
• B. Proceed with dispensing.
• C. Ignore and dispense.
• D. Ask a colleague to review later.

Answer: (A)

When a faxed prescription is unclear, the priority is to verify all essential details with the prescriber before dispensing. An unreadable copy can obscure the drug name, strength, dosage form, directions, patient name, and other critical instructions, and misreading any of these can lead to a medication error. By contacting the prescriber to confirm exactly what was intended, you protect patient safety and ensure the pharmacist’s action matches the prescriber’s intent. After you obtain confirmation, document what was clarified (date, time, and the exact details) for an audit trail. This approach avoids the risks of guessing from a poor copy or dispensing with unresolved questions, and it supports responsible, careful practice.