What must a pharmacist certify for drugs going into an ADS?

For drugs going into an Automated Dispensing System (ADS), it is essential that pharmacists certify all medications with the exception of those that are entering the system via a barcode scan. This certification process is a critical safety measure that helps to ensure accuracy and proper controls within the pharmacy practice.

When medications are not verified using an automated system, human oversight is necessary to confirm that the correct drug, dosage, and patient information are aligned. This additional layer of oversight mitigates the risk of medication errors that could occur from mispackaging, mislabeling, or other discrepancies.

In contrast, medications entering via a barcode scan are typically associated with electronic systems that reduce the need for manual verification since the scan function is designed to match the drug with comprehensive database checks, thus ensuring accuracy before dispensing. This technological integration enhances efficiency while relying on automated checks as opposed to requiring pharmacist certification.

Therefore, the correct understanding of the role of pharmacist certification in the context of an ADS involves recognizing the balance of human oversight in the certification process and the capabilities of the technological systems in place.