If overpayments are identified, how must they be assessed?

The appropriate approach to assessing overpayments is to evaluate them in the context of patient harm. This is important because it goes beyond just the financial aspect and considers the potential impact on patient safety and wellbeing. If an overpayment is discovered, understanding whether the patient received appropriate care or if there were any adverse effects due to medication errors or improper dispensing is crucial. This approach ensures that the focus is not solely on financial losses but also on how those overpayments may have affected patient outcomes.

Considering the other choices, assessing based solely on the dispensing fee does not account for the broader implications of patient harm, which is more relevant in the practice of pharmacy where patient safety is the priority. Assessing overpayments only in the absence of prescribed medications does not reflect all potential scenarios where harm could have occurred. Lastly, while financial records are vital for tracking and auditing, they don't provide the necessary context concerning the safety and health of patients involved in the transaction. Thus, the emphasis on patient harm highlights the responsibility pharmacists have in protecting patient wellbeing while navigating issues of financial integrity.