Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ExCPT) Practice Exam

Which information is not mandated by federal law on a prescription label?

1. Date

2. Patient's name

3. Prescriber's name

4. National drug code

The correct answer is: National drug code

The reason the National Drug Code (NDC) is not mandated by federal law to appear on prescription labels is that it serves more as an identifying mechanism for specific medications rather than a necessary element for ensuring patient safety or prescription legitimacy. The NDC provides a unique code for each medication, which can aid in inventory management and tracking but is not required on every prescription label according to federal regulations. In contrast, the date, patient's name, and prescriber's name are all critical components of a prescription label mandated by law. The date is essential for determining the prescription's validity and expiration. The patient's name is necessary to ensure the medication is provided to the correct individual, while the prescriber's name is important for verifying who authorized the medication and providing accountability for the treatment prescribed. These elements are vital for proper medication administration and legal compliance.