Why must a patient provide the original written prescription after faxing it?

The requirement for a patient to provide the original written prescription after faxing it is primarily to prevent misuse of prescriptions. This is crucial in maintaining the integrity and safety of medication dispensing. When prescriptions are faxed, there is a risk of them being altered or duplicated for unauthorized use. By ensuring that the original document is submitted, it creates a safeguard against alterations and illegal activities, ensuring that the pharmacy has a verifiable and authentic prescription on file.

Retaining the original prescription helps to maintain a clear and accurate record, which is important for both the patient’s medical history and for compliance with legal regulations governing prescription medications. While the original prescription can certainly aid in ensuring the correct address and may help to expedite the process, these factors are secondary to the primary concern of preventing misuse.