Implementation of systematic progression of community pharmacy-based prescription verification into the skills-based laboratory curriculum

Background and purpose: To describe the design, implementation, and evaluation of systematic progressive community pharmacy-based prescription verification activities across a skills-based laboratory course series. Educational activity and setting: Community pharmacy-based prescription verification activities were implemented into three laboratory courses, Abilities Lab (ABL) 1, 2, and 4. During each activity, students practiced prescription verification using a handout with two components. First, a checklist outlining an eight-step verification process serves as a student resource. In the second handout component, students are required to identify which step contains a prescription error(s), the appropriate pharmacist action, and the recommendation needed in order to correct the error (s). After verifying and completing the handout, the students participate in a facilitator-led discussion on the recommendations necessary to dispense the prescription. As students progressed through ABL 1, 2, and 4, both the error type and scope of the verification process expanded. Class verification exercises culminated in a final practical assessment at the end of each semester. Findings: In ABL 1 students scored an average of 99.5% (n = 161, standard deviation (SD) = 1.92) on the final practical assessment. In ABL 2, students scored an average of 97.6% (n = 166, SD = 3.07). In ABL 4, students scored an average of 90.3% (n = 159, SD = 11.2). Summary: This manuscript adds value to the current literature by describing the implementation of progressive community pharmacy-based prescription verification activities across a skillsbased laboratory course series.