What must be verified before dispensing medication to a patient?

Verifying the patient's prescription for accuracy and potential drug interactions is essential before dispensing medication. This step ensures that the medication being provided aligns with what was prescribed by the healthcare provider, which includes checking the dosage, frequency, and specific medication type.

Additionally, verifying potential drug interactions is crucial for patient safety. The pharmacy assistant must assess whether the prescribed medication could adversely interact with other medications the patient may be taking or with the patient’s existing health conditions. This helps in preventing harmful side effects and ensures that the treatment plan is both effective and safe for the patient.

Other options, while important in their contexts, do not address the immediate and critical safety issues related to medication dispensing. For example, while knowing the patient's age and gender can be relevant for certain medications, it does not replace the need to verify the prescription details. Insurance coverage is important for billing purposes but does not impact the safety of the medication being dispensed. The time of day when the prescription was filled is not a critical factor in ensuring the accuracy and safety of the medication itself.