What should be confirmed when a prescription for a narcotic is received?

When a prescription for a narcotic is received, confirming the patient's allergies is crucial for patient safety. Narcotics, like any medication, can cause various side effects, and some patients may have specific allergies to certain components or fillers within these medications. By verifying allergies, the pharmacy team can prevent serious adverse reactions and ensure the patient's safety.

Patient age, while important for some medications due to dosing and potential contraindications in certain age groups, is less critical than confirming allergies for narcotics. Insurance verification is relevant for processing the prescription but does not directly impact patient safety as opposed to the awareness of allergic reactions. The order of the prescription itself is necessary for processing but does not pertain to the safety profile of the patient. Hence, confirming the patient's allergies stands out as the most vital step when dealing with narcotic prescriptions.