A variety of benefits result when the prescriber includes a notation of therapeutic purpose or diagnosis when prescribing medications. Pharmacists and other health professionals can monitor patient outcomes more effectively when the therapeutic purpose is clear. Medication errors are reduced because medications with similar names can be better distinguished. The American Society of Consultant Pharmacists supports the inclusion of a therapeutic purpose by the prescriber on all prescriptions or medication orders.
Therapeutic purpose indicates the reason for use of the medication.
2 ASCP Statement on Pharmaceutical Care Approved by the ASCP Board of Directors, August 9, 1998.