What must be assured before a medication is dispensed?

The correct answer emphasizes the paramount importance of ensuring that the correct medication is dispensed. Ensuring that the specific medication ordered by the veterinarian is accurately given to the correct patient is crucial for patient safety and effective treatment. Mistakes in dispensing medication can lead to adverse effects, ineffective treatment, and even potentially life-threatening situations for the animal. Therefore, double-checking to verify that the medication matches the veterinarian's prescription is a standard and essential practice in the veterinary pharmacy setting.

While other options may contain valid considerations related to the dispensing process, such as checking for allergies or storage requirements, the immediate and primary concern must always be the accuracy of the medication itself.