> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.phbhealth.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Dispense a prescription

> Find a patient's prescriptions, confirm who is collecting, check allergies, counsel and dispense.

## Before you start

You need the role `pharmacist`, PCN verification, and the patient's HPN or phone number.

## Steps

<Frame caption="**Dispense**: identify the patient by HPN or phone, then open a prescription.">
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/phbhealth/GtJnfqFNgZgyAOW8/images/guides/pharmacy-dispense.jpg?fit=max&auto=format&n=GtJnfqFNgZgyAOW8&q=85&s=a40eebaeeaee69f946687f0b8fa178c0" alt="The Dispense a prescription screen with a Health Point Number box and a Find prescriptions button." width="1491" height="812" data-path="images/guides/pharmacy-dispense.jpg" />
</Frame>

<Steps>
  <Step title="Find the prescriptions">
    Open **Dispense**. Under **Dispense a prescription**, choose **By HPN** or **By phone**, then click **Find prescriptions**. You can also start from the **Queue**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Confirm who is collecting">
    Under **Patient verification**, check the person in front of you. Tick **Name matches the person collecting**, and **Date of birth matches** if a date of birth is on file.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Check the items">
    Review **Items to dispense**. Read any allergy warning: **Recorded allergy — check before dispensing.** If you dispense despite an allergy, give an override reason.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Substitute if needed">
    If the drug is out of stock and substitution is allowed, click **Find a generic / substitute** and choose a same-class option. Give a reason.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Counsel">
    Tick **I counselled the patient on how to take these medications.** Add a **Counselling note** if useful.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Payment">
    Under **Payment**, choose how the **Patient pays**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Dispense">
    Click **Counsel + dispense**, or **Counsel + dispense (partial)** if you give part now. The status changes to **Dispensed** or **Partially dispensed**. The patient is notified.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## What you can do here

* Dispense in full or in part.
* Substitute within the same drug class.
* **Flag out of stock**. PHB then shows **Where to send them**: affiliated pharmacies that stock it. You see **The patient has been notified to get this elsewhere.**
* Wallet payments are taken at the moment you dispense.

## Rules to know

* Dispense events can't be edited or deleted.
* A free-text item that isn't in the drug list is not allergy-checked. Check it yourself.

<Note>
  The interaction check is switched off, pending clinical sign-off. NAFDAC checks and NHIA claims are recorded but not checked electronically yet.
</Note>

## Common problems

| What you see | What to do |
| - | - |
| **Identity could not be confirmed — check the details below.** | Check the person's name and date of birth again. |
| **Allergy check unavailable** | PHB couldn't read the allergy record, so it won't dispense. Try again shortly. |
| **All items have already been dispensed.** | Nothing left to give. |
| **No same-class alternatives in stock here.** | Flag out of stock and send the patient to another pharmacy. |
| **Only a PCN-verified pharmacist can dispense.** | Follow **Verify your PCN licence to dispense →**. |
| **Dispense failed.** | Try again. |


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