What must the transferring pharmacist do when processing a prescription transfer?

When processing a prescription transfer, the transferring pharmacist must write "VOID" on the face of the original prescription. This action serves multiple important purposes. Firstly, it clearly indicates that the original prescription is no longer valid for dispensing, which helps prevent any potential misuse or confusion regarding the medication. Secondly, it preserves a record of the prescription transfer, maintaining the integrity of the patient's medication history. This is particularly crucial for ensuring that the patient does not fill the same prescription at more than one pharmacy, which could lead to medication errors or conflicts with therapy.

The act of writing "VOID" also fulfills legal requirements that ensure proper tracking and accountability in the dispensing process, aligning with both state and federal pharmacy regulations.

In contrast, simply informing the patient of the transfer does not adequately address the necessary documentation and monitoring protocols in place for prescription transfers. Destroying the original prescription would not comply with best practices for record-keeping and patient safety, as it eliminates the original documentation which may be needed for future reference. Notifying the DEA of the transfer is not required for every prescription transfer, thereby making this option irrelevant in this context.