Which of the following must be barcoded in a hospital pharmacy?

Barcoding prescription drugs in a hospital pharmacy is essential for enhancing medication safety and ensuring accurate medication administration. The use of barcodes allows for electronic tracking of medications through various stages, from the pharmacy to the patient. This system significantly reduces the risk of medication errors, as it allows healthcare professionals to quickly verify that the right patient is receiving the right medication at the right dose and at the right time.

By scanning barcodes, pharmacists and nurses can confirm medication details against electronic health records, ensuring that any discrepancies can be caught and resolved before the medication reaches the patient. This is particularly critical in a hospital setting, where patients may be on multiple medications, and the potential for error can increase.

In contrast, recreational drugs, over-the-counter drugs, and medical supplies may not be subject to the same stringent tracking requirements, as they do not typically enter the same high-risk environment that prescription drugs do. While these items may still be managed and accounted for, the barcoding system is primarily focused on prescription medications that require careful management due to their potential risks and the necessity for stringent safety regulations.