an apparatus for verifying the identity of a dispensed pharmaceutical comprises an analysis unit adapted to determine a property of the dispensed pharmaceutical , an input device adapted to receive predetermined identifying information corresponding to the dispensed pharmaceutical , and a comparison unit adapted to compare the determined property of the dispensed pharmaceutical with the predetermined identifying information . in addition , a method of verifying a prescription , wherein the prescription comprises a pharmaceutical compound , comprises associating the prescription with a unique identifier , storing the unique identifier , determining the identity of the pharmaceutical compound , and comparing the identity of the pharmaceutical compound with the unique identifier .