6. Emergency Supply of Prescription Only Medicines

Question 1

What are the two types of emergency supply of POM medicines ?

Answer 1

1. At request of the prescriber

2. At the request of the patient

Question 2

Who can request an emergency supply at the request of the prescriber ?

Answer 2

1. Doctor
2. Independent prescriber
3. Nurse prescriber
4. Dentist
5. Supplementary prescriber

Question 3

Within how long should a prescription be made after emergency supply request has been made ?

Answer 3

within 72 hours (3 days)

Question 4

True or false?

Medicine should be supplied in accordance with the directions of the prescriber ?

Answer 4

True

Question 5

What medicines cannot be supplied at the request of a prescriber through an emergency supply ?

Answer 5

Schedule 1, 2 and 3 (with exception to phenobarbital for epilepsy)

4&5 can be supplied

Question 6

When should an entry in the POR be made ?

Answer 6

Should be made on the day

or if impracticable the next day

Question 7

What information should you have on the POR register entry ?

Answer 7

1. Purpose (Emergency supply at the request of…)
2. Name and address of appropriate prescriber
3. Drug quantity
4. Drug name
5. Strength
6. Form
7. Dose (but not legal requirement)
8. Name and address of patient
9. Date on Rx
10. Date Rx received (this we should not know until the prescription is received)
11. Price (?)
12. Reference Number

Question 8

What can EEA or Swiss prescribers supply and what must be included ?

Answer 8

1. Cannot supply ANY schedule 1,2 and 3 CD’s (including phenobarbitol)
2. POM must have a Marketing authorisation valid in the UK
3. Pharmacist is clear regarding intend to supply

Question 9

When receiving am emergency supply request from a patient what other information should you find out before making a supply?

Answer 9

1. Is there an immediate need ?
2. Was a POM previously received by a doctor/dentist/SP/NP/IP
3. dose
4. Is it not practical to obtain Rx without undue delay?

Question 10

What can be requested by a patient for an emergency supply ?

Answer 10

POM that is not schedule 2 or 3 (except phenobarbital)

Question 11

What else should be checked as well as the PMR if further information needs to be supplied. Does this require consent ?

Answer 11

Summary care record but consent should be obtained before doing so

Question 12

What is the maximum quantity or supply for CD (schedule 4 and 5 or phenobarbital) at the request of the patient ?

Answer 12

Supply for the maximum of 5 days

Question 13

What is the maximum quantity of supply for POM at the request of the patient ? What are the exceptions ?

Answer 13

Supply a maximum of 30 days

Unless:
- Insulin, an ointment, a cream or aerosol where the SMALLEST pack should be supplied

• Oral contraception- Full cycle
• Antibiotics in liquid- Smallest quantity for a full course of treatment

Question 14

Is a POR register entry required for emergency supply at the request of the patient?

Answer 14

yes

Question 15

What information should be included when filling in a POR register entry ?

Answer 15

1. Purpose (Emergency supply for the request of a patient… due to visiting family). Potential risk if medicine is not supplied
2. Name and address of the patient
3. quantity
4. drug name
5. Form
6. dose

Question 16

What additional information should be on a label for an emergency supply medicine ?

Answer 16

Emergency supply