Abstract: A system and method for prescribing, filling and dispensing a prescription with reference to a universal prescription database is provided. Every patient is assigned a unique patient identifier in the universal prescription database, and preferably, every prescription dispensed to a patient is recorded in the database regardless of whether the patient uses a universally accepted insurance card, and regardless of which pharmacy is used by the patient for previous or current prescriptions. Drug allergies, negative drug-disease state interactions, negative drug-drug interactions, duplicate therapies, early refills (overuse of a medication), and other potential negative problems not previously identifiable by pharmacists are identified and preferably rated according to severity.