A dispensing error is defined as a discrepancy between a prescription and the medication that is:

A discrepancy based on what the patient requests does not necessarily indicate an error. Patients may request specific medications for various reasons, but the pharmacist or healthcare provider must ultimately ensure that the dispensed medication aligns with the prescription, not just the patient's request.

The formulary pertains to a list of medications covered by a patient's insurance plan, but an error is not defined by whether the medication is on this list. A medication can be on the formulary yet still be incorrectly dispensed compared to the prescription, thus not constituting a dispensing error in this context.

The source of the medication supplied by the wholesaler does not indicate an error in dispensing since the wholesaler is merely a supplier. Even if the correct medication is received from the wholesaler, if it does not match the prescription, it still constitutes a dispensing error when given to the patient.