What is legally required on a prescription?

The legally required elements on a prescription primarily include the patient's name, the doctor's information, and the doctor's DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) number if the prescription is for a controlled substance. The patient's name is essential to identify who the medication is prescribed for, while the doctor's information is crucial for validating the prescription and for communication purposes. The DEA number specifically indicates that the doctor is legally authorized to prescribe controlled substances, which is a critical requirement in preventing drug abuse and ensuring patient safety.

While the patient's allergies and medical history, insurance information, and the doctor's academic qualifications may be important for comprehensive patient care and billing purposes, they are not legally mandated on the prescription itself. Therefore, the inclusion of the patient's name, doctor's information, and DEA number is what defines the correctness of this answer, establishing it as essential components necessary for a valid prescription.