What is the first step in preparing a compounded medication?

The first step in preparing a compounded medication is to review the prescription for accuracy and necessary ingredients. This step is crucial because it ensures that the pharmacy technician fully understands what is required for the medication preparation. The technician must confirm not only the patient's name and prescription details but also verify that the correct ingredients, dosages, and formulation types are specified.

By reviewing the prescription carefully, potential discrepancies can be identified early in the process, which helps to prevent errors that could lead to adverse effects on the patient. It also allows for assessing whether all necessary supplies and equipment are available for compounding, as well as understanding any special instructions or requirements associated with the prescription.

Only after this detailed review should the technician proceed to gather equipment, prepare the workspace, and begin measuring ingredients, making it a foundational step in ensuring safe and accurate medication preparation.