During the prescription fill process, what should you refer to first?

The prescription should be referred to first during the prescription fill process because it contains essential information that dictates the entire workflow for filling a patient's medication. The prescription includes critical elements such as the patient's name, medication name, dosage, instructions for use, and any refill information. This information is paramount to ensure that the correct medication is dispensed according to the prescribing physician’s orders.

Once the prescription is reviewed, the next steps can involve checking the patient's ID for verification purposes, the drug inventory to confirm stock availability, and the insurance information for billing and reimbursement processes. However, none of these subsequent actions can commence without first evaluating the prescription itself to ensure safety and accuracy in the medication dispensing process. The integrity and correctness of the prescription are fundamental to patient care and safety in the pharmacy environment.