California Pharmacy Jurisprudence Exam (CPJE) Practice 2026 - Free CPJE Practice Questions and Study Guide

When a pharmacist receives an incomplete prescription, the appropriate action is to contact the prescriber for clarification before dispensing. This approach ensures patient safety and medication accuracy, which are vital components of pharmacy practice. By reaching out to the prescriber, the pharmacist can verify the missing information, such as dosage, frequency, or specific directions, which helps to prevent potential medication errors that could arise from misinterpretation or assumptions about the prescription.

Dispensing a medication without having complete and accurate information would expose the patient to significant risks, including incorrect dosing or potential interactions with other medications. Refusing to fill the prescription outright could deny necessary medication to the patient without ensuring that the lack of information is addressed properly. Additionally, asking the patient to return with a complete prescription may not always be feasible, as it could lead to delays in treatment. Thus, contacting the prescriber is the most responsible and legally sound course of action for a pharmacist faced with an incomplete prescription.