Pharmacy: Step-by-Step Guide on How to Write SOAP Notes

Updated January 2026

SOAP notes are essential for effective patient care and documentation in pharmacy. This guide provides detailed instructions for each section of a SOAP note, helping you understand the structure and content required for thorough documentation in the pharmacy context. By mastering SOAP notes, you can enhance patient care, ensure effective communication among healthcare providers, and maintain accurate medical records.

For specific examples, see our list of 10 Common Pharmacy SOAP Note Examples.

Subjective Section (S)

In a pharmacy SOAP note, the Subjective section (S) captures the patient’s self-reported information about their condition, symptoms, and medication history. This section provides context for the pharmacist to understand the patient’s perspective and experiences. Here are the specific things that should go into the Subjective section of a pharmacy SOAP note:

Subjective Section (S) Components

1. Chief Complaint:

   • The primary reason the patient is seeking pharmacy consultation.
   • Example: "I have been experiencing frequent headaches for the past month."

2. History of Present Illness:

   • Details about the onset, duration, and progression of the current condition.
   • Example: "The headaches started about a month ago and occur almost daily, usually in the afternoon."

3. Medication History:

   • Information on current and past medications, including dosage, frequency, and duration.
   • Example: "Currently taking ibuprofen 200mg as needed for headaches, about 3 times a week."

4. Allergies:

   • Any known drug allergies or adverse reactions.
   • Example: "No known drug allergies."

5. Relevant Medical History:

   • Any relevant past medical conditions, surgeries, or chronic illnesses.
   • Example: "History of hypertension, currently managed with medication."

6. Lifestyle Factors:

   • Information on lifestyle factors that may impact the patient’s condition or treatment, such as diet, exercise, and smoking.
   • Example: "The patient reports a high-stress job and limited physical activity."

7. Patient Goals:

   • The patient’s goals and expectations from the pharmacy consultation.
   • Example: "The patient hopes to find a more effective way to manage their headaches."

Tips:

• Encourage the patient to provide as much detail as possible.
• Use open-ended questions to gather comprehensive information.
• Document the patient’s own words when possible.

Example of a Subjective Section for Pharmacy

Objective Section (O)

In a pharmacy SOAP note, the Objective section (O) captures measurable, observable, and factual data obtained during the patient’s consultation. This section provides concrete evidence of the patient’s condition and medication use. Here are the specific things that should go into the Objective section of a pharmacy SOAP note:

Objective Section (O) Components

1. Vital Signs:

   • Record the patient’s vital signs if relevant to the consultation.
   • Example: "BP 130/85, HR 78"

2. Medication Review:

   • Document the medications the patient is currently taking, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements.
   • Example: "Current medications: Ibuprofen 200mg as needed, Lisinopril 10mg daily."

3. Physical Examination Findings:

   • Include any relevant physical examination findings if applicable.
   • Example: "No physical examination performed."

4. Laboratory Results:

   • Include relevant lab results if available.
   • Example: "Recent blood work shows normal renal function."

5. Pharmacy Records:

   • Review and document the patient’s pharmacy records for medication adherence and refill history.
   • Example: "Pharmacy records indicate regular refills of antihypertensive medication."

Tips:

• Be precise and factual in your documentation.
• Include only measurable and observable data.
• Use standardized measurements where applicable.

Example of an Objective Section for Pharmacy

Assessment Section (A)

In a pharmacy SOAP note, the Assessment section (A) synthesizes the information gathered in the Subjective and Objective sections to provide a clinical judgment about the patient’s condition and medication therapy. This section includes the pharmacist's professional interpretation, potential drug-related problems, and the patient’s progress and response to treatment. Here are the specific things that should go into the Assessment section of a pharmacy SOAP note:

Assessment Section (A) Components

1. Medication Therapy Problems:

   • Identify any potential or actual medication therapy problems.
   • Example: "Potential overuse of ibuprofen leading to inadequate headache control."

2. Clinical Impression:

   • Include your clinical interpretation of the patient’s condition and medication use.
   • Example: "The patient’s frequent headaches may be related to stress and inadequate pain management."

3. Patient Progress:

   • Comment on the patient’s progress since the last visit, if applicable.
   • Example: "The patient reports no significant improvement in headache frequency or intensity."

4. Goals of Therapy:

   • Set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals for the patient’s medication therapy.
   • Example: "Short-term goal: Reduce headache frequency to 2-3 times per week within one month. Long-term goal: Achieve effective headache management with minimal medication use."

Tips:

• Be clear and concise in your clinical judgment.
• Use evidence-based reasoning to support your assessment.
• Set realistic and measurable goals for the patient.

Example of an Assessment Section for Pharmacy

Plan Section (P)

Plan Section (P) Components

1. Medication Adjustments:

   • Specific changes to the patient’s medication regimen to address identified problems.
   • Example: "Recommend switching from ibuprofen to acetaminophen for headache management."

2. Non-Pharmacological Interventions:

   • Include lifestyle modifications and other non-drug interventions.
   • Example: "Advise the patient on stress management techniques and regular physical activity."

3. Patient Education:

   • Information and instructions provided to the patient about their medications and condition.
   • Example: "Educate the patient on the proper use of acetaminophen and potential side effects."

4. Monitoring Plan:

   • Outline how the patient’s progress and response to therapy will be monitored.
   • Example: "Follow up in two weeks to assess headache frequency and medication effectiveness."

5. Referrals:

   • Any referrals to other healthcare professionals or specialists if necessary.
   • Example: "Refer the patient to a neurologist if headaches persist despite therapy adjustments."

6. Follow-Up:

   • The plan for subsequent visits, including the frequency and duration of follow-up appointments.
   • Example: "Schedule follow-up appointment in two weeks to monitor progress and make any necessary adjustments."

Tips:

• Be specific and detailed in your treatment plan to ensure clarity and adherence.
• Tailor the plan to the individual needs and goals of the patient.
• Ensure that the patient understands their role in the treatment plan, especially for lifestyle modifications and self-care.

Example of a Plan Section for Pharmacy

This detailed information in the Plan section ensures that the patient receives a comprehensive and personalized treatment strategy, and helps track progress and outcomes effectively.

AI-Assisted Documentation for Pharmacy

As of 2025, 66% of healthcare providers use AI tools in their practice. AI scribes and clinical intelligence tools can significantly reduce documentation burden for pharmacists while capturing detailed medication reviews, counseling sessions, and clinical interventions.

How AI Can Help with Pharmacy Documentation

• Ambient listening: AI captures patient counseling sessions and automatically structures clinical notes
• Medication reconciliation: Assists with comprehensive medication list documentation
• Drug interaction alerts: Helps capture discussions about interactions and therapeutic duplications
• Efficiency: Reduces documentation time by up to 50-75%

Pharmacy-Specific AI Considerations

What AI captures well:

• Patient-reported symptoms and medication concerns
• Counseling points and patient education discussions
• Adherence discussions and barrier identification
• Therapeutic goals and monitoring parameters

What requires careful review:

• Medication names (brand vs. generic, sound-alike drugs)
• Dosages, frequencies, and routes of administration
• Drug-drug interactions identified
• Allergy documentation and reactions
• Prescription verification details

Tips for Using AI with Pharmacy Documentation

1. Speak medication names clearly: "Reviewing metformin 500 milligrams twice daily with meals"
2. Verbalize dosing precisely: "Dose increased from 10 milligrams to 20 milligrams once daily"
3. Dictate interactions explicitly: "Discussed potential interaction between warfarin and the new antibiotic"
4. Confirm counseling points: "Patient counseled on taking medication with food to reduce GI side effects"

For more details, see our complete AI-Assisted Documentation Guide.

Telehealth Pharmacy Documentation

Telepharmacy has become increasingly important for medication management, particularly for patients with limited access to in-person pharmacy services. Per CMS 2026 guidelines and HIPAA telehealth requirements, specific documentation requirements apply.

Appropriate Telehealth Uses in Pharmacy

Telehealth visits are appropriate for:

• Medication therapy management (MTM) consultations
• Comprehensive medication reviews
• New prescription counseling and patient education
• Adherence assessments and intervention
• Chronic disease medication management
• Drug interaction and side effect consultations
• Immunization counseling (with in-person administration)

Telehealth Capabilities in Pharmacy

What can be accomplished via telepharmacy:

• Complete medication history review
• Patient counseling and education
• Therapeutic recommendations to prescribers
• Adherence monitoring and motivation
• Side effect assessment (patient-reported)
• Coordination with healthcare team

Limitations:

• Physical assessment of patient (verify blood pressure readings, etc.)
• Direct medication administration
• Visual inspection of patient-brought medications (limited by camera quality)

Example Telehealth Pharmacy Documentation

For complete telehealth documentation guidance, see our Telehealth SOAP Notes Guide.