Are there laws that govern the legibility of written prescriptions?
Yes. Effective July, 1, 2003 Florida Statute 456.42 requires that all written prescriptions must be legibly printed or typed and must be signed by the prescribing practitioner on the day of issue. Further, the prescription must contain the following: Name of the prescribing practitioner Quantity of the drug prescribed in both textual and numerical formats Date of the prescription with the month written out in textual letters Directions for use of the drug Name and strength of the drug prescribed Failure to issue prescriptions as set forth by the new requirements is a violation of Florida law and will subject the practitioner to disciplinary action of their license to practice.
