Which of the following must pharmacists ensure before dispensing medication?

Pharmacists have a critical responsibility to ensure that the prescriptions they dispense are both appropriately written and valid. This includes verifying key elements such as the patient's details, the medication prescribed, the dosage and instructions, as well as the prescriber's authority and their ability to write prescriptions for that medication.

Without a correctly written and valid prescription, the pharmacist cannot safely or legally dispense medication. This is fundamental to preventing medication errors, ensuring patient safety, and complying with state and federal pharmacy laws. Verification of the prescription helps to mitigate risks associated with misuse or errors in medication, which can lead to adverse health outcomes.

Other factors, such as whether the patient has insurance coverage or is over 18 years of age, may be relevant in some pharmacy settings but are not among the core legal responsibilities that must be met before dispensing medication. The requirement for a pharmacy to be open 24 hours does not directly relate to the assessment of a valid prescription either.