What should prescription pads be designed to prevent?

Prescription pads should be designed primarily to prevent unauthorized copying and modification. This is critical because, if a prescription pad can be easily duplicated or altered, it could lead to misuse, including fraudulent prescriptions. Designing prescription pads with security features, such as watermarking, specialized inks, and tamper-evident designs, ensures that any attempts at copying or altering the prescription will be easily detectable. This is vital in maintaining the integrity of the prescription process and protecting both patients and prescribers from the consequences of drug abuse and medication errors that arise from fraudulent activities.

While the prevention of overuse, prescriber errors, and expiration of prescriptions are important considerations in the overall management of prescriptions, the primary focus of secure prescription pad design is to combat unauthorized alterations and duplications that directly threaten patient safety and the controlled distribution of medications.