Can a graduate intern perform the final verification of prescriptions?

A graduate intern cannot perform the final verification of prescriptions because this function is reserved exclusively for licensed pharmacists. In the context of pharmacy practice, final verification involves ensuring that the medication dispensed matches the prescription written by the prescriber and verifying that all legal and safety requirements have been met. This is a crucial responsibility that requires comprehensive knowledge of pharmacology, therapy, and legal standards, which is why only licensed pharmacists—who have completed the necessary education, training, and licensure processes—are permitted to carry out this task.

Graduate interns, while they may have received training and can perform many other functions under supervision, do not hold a license, which legally prohibits them from verifying prescriptions. This protects patient safety as the final verification is a critical quality assurance step in the medication dispensing process.