SIGNA.—The signa, not to be confused with the
prescriber’s signature, is the part of the prescription
that gives the directions for the patient. This portion is
preceded by the abbreviation “Sig.”
Prescriber Signature Block
Finally, the prescriber signature block, located at
the bottom of the form, must contain a legible
signature of the prescriber, as well as the prescriber’s
full name, rank, corps, and service, stamped, typed, or
handprinted.
Mimeographed, preprinted, or
rubber-stamped prescriptions may be used, but
signatures must be original and in the handwriting of
the prescriber. Facsimiles are not acceptable.
AUTHORIZED PRESCRIBERS
According to the MANMED, the following
persons are authorized to write prescriptions:
Medical and Dental Corps Officers
Medical Service Corps optometrists, physician
assistants, and podiatrists
Civilian physicians employed by the Navy
Independent duty Hospital Corpsmen
Nurse practitioners (may prescribe when
authorized in writing by the commanding
officer)
Nurse anesthetists and midwives (may prescribe
within the scope of their practice when
authorized in writing by the CO or delegated
representative)
Prescriptions written by civilian prescribers, other
than those employed by the Navy, may be filled for
authorized beneficiaries, provided the prescribed item
is on the medical facility’s formulary (a published
listing of medications) and the prescribed quantity is
within limitations established by the command.
With the exception of the polyprescription,
prescriptions are limited to one item per prescription.
The quantity of the drug prescribed should be a
reasonable amount needed by the patient. Excessive or
unrealistic quantities should not be prescribed.
Erasures on prescriptions are prohibited, and
interlineations (information inserted between lines of
writing) must be initialed.
6-22
Figure 6-4.—Polyprescription form.
