What key information is required on a prescription?

The key information required on a prescription includes medication dosage instructions, as they are crucial for ensuring that the patient understands how to properly take the medication. These instructions specify the amount to be taken, the frequency of dosing, and the duration of the treatment, which are all vital for effective and safe medication administration. Without clear dosage instructions, there is a risk of underdosing or overdosing, both of which can have serious health implications.

Other details, while potentially useful in specific contexts, are not universally required on every prescription. For example, a patient's social security number is generally not necessary for the prescription itself, nor is the doctor's specialty typically listed unless it's relevant for specific medications. The pharmacy's location, although important for the filling process, does not need to be included on the prescription since the pharmacy will have that information in its system.