What is the first step a pharmacy technician should take when receiving a prescription?

The first step a pharmacy technician should take when receiving a prescription is to verify the patient's information and prescription details. This step is crucial because it ensures that the technician has accurate and complete information to process the prescription correctly. Verifying the patient's name, date of birth, medication, dosage, and instructions helps prevent potential errors that could arise later in the process.

By confirming these details, the technician ensures that the correct medication is being dispensed to the right patient, which is essential for patient safety. This verification process also allows the technician to catch any issues such as potential drug interactions, allergies, or incorrect dosages before they happen.

Each subsequent step, like preparing the medication or consulting with a pharmacist, relies on having accurate initial details. If discrepancies are found later in the process, it could delay treatment or lead to serious health risks for the patient.