Once your order is ready to move forward, the pharmacy starts preparing the medication. There are several checks along the way because we want to make sure the medication, prescription, pharmacy label, order, and shipping information all match before the package leaves our pharmacy.
First, a pharmacist prepares the medication
The first pharmacist reviews your prescription and confirmed order and prepares the medication for dispensing.
This includes selecting the correct medication, strength, and quantity, as well as the appropriate brand-name or generic product based on the prescription and your preference, where applicable and available.
The pharmacist also prepares the pharmacy label that goes on the medication package or pharmacy bottle. The label includes important information such as your name, medication, strength, and directions for use.
As part of this step, the pharmacist checks the directions and the medication's expiry date to make sure it has appropriate remaining shelf life for the quantity and expected use.
When the quantity ordered matches an appropriate manufacturer-sealed package, we keep the medication in its original sealed packaging whenever possible. If the quantity needs to be divided, the pharmacist counts the required amount and dispenses it into a pharmacy container with the prescription label.
At this point, the medication has been prepared — but it is not ready to leave the pharmacy yet.
Then a second pharmacist independently checks it
Once the medication has been prepared, a different pharmacist independently checks the work.
The second pharmacist compares the prepared medication and pharmacy label against the prescription and order. This includes checking that the medication, strength, quantity, directions, and patient information match what was prescribed and confirmed.
This second pair of eyes is an important part of the pharmacy process. Even though the medication has already been prepared, another pharmacist independently verifies it before the order can move forward.
After that check is complete, the order can move into shipment preparation, including assembling the information and documents needed for shipping.
There is one more check before the box is closed
Even after the pharmacist check, the package is still not finished.
During the final packing step, another team member checks the medication, order, and shipping information together. This is where we make sure the medication being packed matches the order and is being prepared for the correct patient and delivery address.
Only after that final check is complete is the box packed and made ready for courier pickup.
In simple terms: one pharmacist prepares it, another pharmacist independently verifies it, and the final packing check makes sure the right medication is going to the right patient.
What happens if something does not match?
If any of these checks finds something that does not match — whether it is the medication, label, prescription, order, or shipping information — we stop and resolve it before the package leaves the pharmacy.
If we need information or approval from you, we will contact you. If the issue involves the prescription, we can coordinate with your doctor or veterinarian as needed.
The purpose of these checks is simple: we want problems to be caught inside the pharmacy, before the medication is on its way to you.
Where to go from here
Once the medication has passed the pharmacy and packing checks, the package is ready to leave our pharmacy and enter the delivery process.
Next, see How your SimplePills package gets from our pharmacy to your door.