If a prescription is handwritten, it must contain which?

• A. Prescriber's hand written signature
• B. Prescriber's license number
• C. Pharmacy's address
• D. Date of filling

Answer: (A)

A handwritten prescription must include the prescriber's handwritten signature. This signature ties the order to a specific clinician, establishing accountability and authenticity so the pharmacist knows who authorized the medication. Without a signature, a handwritten prescription could be forged or altered, making dispensing risky and noncompliant with regulatory standards. Other details like the prescriber's license number, the pharmacy's address, or the date of filling aren’t typically required on a handwritten prescription, and the date of filling is recorded by the pharmacist at dispensing rather than being part of the original order.