What is the primary duty of a pharmacist when receiving a new prescription?

The primary duty of a pharmacist when receiving a new prescription is to conduct a therapeutic assessment for drug interactions and allergies. This step is critical in ensuring the safety and efficacy of the medication being prescribed. By evaluating the patient's current medications, medical history, and known allergies, the pharmacist can identify any potential adverse reactions or interactions that may occur when the new medication is combined with what the patient is already taking.

This responsibility aligns with the pharmacist's role as a healthcare provider who contributes to patient care by ensuring that medications are appropriate and safe for each individual patient. Additionally, this assessment helps to optimize therapeutic outcomes and contributes to the overall medication management process, which is essential in preventing medication errors and ensuring patient safety.

While discussing medication costs and contacting the prescribing physician are important aspects of patient care, they are secondary to the more urgent need for assessing the therapeutic appropriateness of the prescribed medication. Filling the prescription immediately is also less critical than ensuring that the medication won't harm the patient based on their existing medications and health conditions.