There are two broad legal classifications of medicines:

Learning Objective

• Over-the-counter drugs and prescription drugs

1. Non-prescription/over-the-counter drugs, which may be purchased without a prescription
2. Prescription drugs or medications, which may be dispensed legally only if prescribed. These drugs are regulated by legislation to require a medical prescription.

Prescriptions are written by the prescriber and given to the patient for presentation at the pharmacy. They may also be communicated directly over telephone to the pharmacist. Prescriptions received orally on telephone must be written down immediately.