In India only registered pharmacists are authorized to dispense, sell, or compound a drug or supervise the part of a Pharmacy

In India only registered pharmacists are authorized to dispense, sell, or compound a drug or supervise the part of a Pharmacy where drugs are kept. Dispensing includes the selection, preparation, and transfer of one or more doses of a drug to a patient. The process of dispensing mainly comprises of the following components.

1. Technical Component

a) receiving and reading the prescription,

b) adjusting an order according to approved policy,

c) entry of order,

d) selecting the drug or determining the product to dispense,

e) checking the expiry date,

f) reconstituting a product as per the requirement,

g) labeling a product,

h) final physical check for accuracy of finished product,

i) maintaining but not interpreting medication profiles, and

j) maintaining, preparing and operating equipment.

2. Cognitive Component

a. assessing the therapeutic appropriateness of a prescription,

b. making a recommendation to a prescriber, and

c. developing the formula for a drug that needs to be specifically prepared by a pharmacist;

Following activities do not constitute dispensing: (a) administration of medications, (b) repackaging of medications, (c) supplying medications.