A written order from a doctor that tells a pharmacist which medicine you should receive and how to take it. It can also mean a suggested way to solve a problem.
From Latin *praescriptio* meaning 'something written beforehand'. It came through Old French into English, keeping the sense of a written instruction set in advance.
A prescription is basically a tiny legal document that lets you access powerful drugs. The word hints that medicine used to be controlled mostly through writing—no prescription, no cure. It’s like a physical key made of words.
Access to prescriptions has been shaped by gender, with women and gender‑diverse people facing barriers to contraception, hormone therapies, and adequate pain management. Historical norms often put male clinicians in control of women’s reproductive choices.
Use gender‑neutral language for patients (e.g., "people who can become pregnant" when relevant), and avoid assuming who seeks or deserves certain prescriptions based on gender.
Women health advocates have fought for over‑the‑counter access and less paternalistic control over prescriptions related to reproductive and sexual health.
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