Key Terms
adjudication
The process by which a prescription is submitted electronically to a third-party payer for the pharmacy to be reimbursed for the medication dispensed
Chain Pharmacy
A corporate-owned group of pharmacies that share a brand name and central management and usually have standard business methods and practices
e-Prescribing
The computer-to-computer transfer of prescription data among pharmacies, prescribers, and payers
National Drug Code (NDC) number
A unique 10- or 11-digit number, composed of three segments, that is assigned to a medication. The first four/five digits identify the drug manufacturer, the next four identify specifics about the product, and the last two identify the drug packaging
Proprietary (brand or trad) name
A brand name or trademark under which a drug product is marketed
aphasia
A communication disorder that results from damage or injury to the language parts of the brain: it is more common in older adults,particularly those who have had a stroke
Dispense as written (DAW) codes
A numerical set of codes, created by the National Council for Prescription Drug Programs (NCPDP), that is used when filling prescriptions: they can affect reimbursement amounts from insurance companies.
Federal Legend
The statement requires on the labeling of all prescription medications: “Federal law prohibits dispensing without a prescription”
National Provider Identifier (NPI)
A unique 10-digit identification number for covered health care providers that is issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
Refills
Permission by a prescriber to replenish a prescription
Auxiliary label
A label that provides supplementary information about proper and safe administration, use or storage of a medication
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) number
An alphanumeric number consisting of two letters and seven numbers that is assigned to prescribers authorized by the US Drug Enforcement Administration to prescribe controlled substances
Franchise
A form of business organization in which a firm that already has a successful product or service (the franchisor) enters into a continuing contractual relationship with other businesses (franchisees) operating under the franchisor’s trade name and usually with the franchisor’s guidance, in exchange for a fee
Nonproprietary (generic) name
A short name coined for a drug or chemical that is not subject to proprietary (trademark) rights and is recommended or recognized by an official body.
Repackage
To reduce the amount of medication taken from a bulk bottle
Bank identification number (BIN)
A six-digit number on a prescription drug that is used for routing and identification to process a prescription claim
Drug utilization evaluation (DUE)
(Formerly known as drug utilization review) An authorized, structured, ongoing, review of health care provider prescribing, pharmacist dispensing, and patient use of medications
Help Desk
A toll-free hotline to an insurance company, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so that pharmacists can call in specific questions about insurance claims and coverage and pharmacy-specific inquiries
Over-the-counter (OTC) medication
A medication that does not require a physician’s order or prescription for the patient to purchase
Signatura (signa or sig)
The directions on a prescription that explains how the patient is to take the prescribed medication; a Latin expression meaning to “write on label”
Behind-the-counter (BTC) medications
Medications kept behind the pharmacy that require a pharmacists intervention before dispensing to a patient: BTC medications are not considered prescription medications
Dysarthria
A speech deficiency that interferes with the normal control of the speech mechanism
Inscription
The name, dosage form, strength, and quantity of the medication prescribed
Prescription
An order for medication issues by a physician, dentist, or other properly licensed practitioner, such as a physician assistant or nurse practitioner
Sole proprietorship
An unincorporated business owned by one person