What must unit dose packaging include?

Unit dose packaging is specifically designed for the safe and efficient administration of medications to patients. The essential components of unit dose packaging must include critical information that ensures accurate identification and traceability of the medication.

Including the drug name, strength, expiration date, drug manufacturer, and lot number is crucial for several reasons. The drug name and strength help healthcare providers quickly ascertain what medication is being provided and in what dosage, reducing the risk of medication errors. The expiration date is vital to ensure that the medication is still safe for use, while the lot number allows for traceability in the event of a recall or any adverse events related to a specific batch.

While patient-specific information like the patient's name and diagnosis, prescription instructions, and insurance details are important in other contexts, they are not required elements of unit dose packaging. The focus of unit dose packaging is on the medication itself, which is why the answer that includes the drug’s critical attributes is the most appropriate answer.