• Patient name — full legal name
• Drug name — brand or generic name
• Strength — e.g., 10 mg, 500 mg/5 mL
• Dosage form — tablets, capsules, suspension, etc.
• Directions for use — dose, route, frequency, duration
• Quantity to dispense — number of units or volume
• Number of refills or repeats — if authorized
• Date written — when the prescription was issued
• Prescriber information and authorization — signature, licence number

• Missing quantity
• Missing directions
• Missing strength
• Missing date
• Missing prescriber contact information
• Missing prescriber signature or authorization

Example 1: A patient brings in a prescription that says:

"Amoxicillin, take as directed, refills 0."

This prescription is incomplete because the strength, dosage form, directions, quantity, and duration are not clear. The pharmacy assistant should bring this to the pharmacist or pharmacy technician instead of guessing or entering the prescription independently.

Example 2: A prescription is missing the prescriber's signature.

The pharmacy assistant should not assume the prescription is valid. The pharmacist must determine whether the prescription can be accepted based on workplace policy and regulatory requirements.

Example 3: A prescription has a handwritten note that is difficult to read.

The pharmacy assistant should not guess what the prescriber wrote. The prescription should be referred to the pharmacist for clarification.