ADDITIONAL LEGAL AND PROFESSIONAL ISSUES

Question 1

WASTE MEDICINES
Can pharmacies receive waste medicines?

Answer 1

Yes

Question 2

WASTE MEDICINES
Where should they be stored?

Answer 2

Must be kept in secure waste containers in a designated area

Question 3

WASTE MEDICINES
How can sharps be disposed?

How can liquids be disposed?

Answer 3

Dispose if syringes and needles in sharps container

The whole bottle should be placed into a pharmaceutical waste container as mixing different medicines could be dangerous

Question 4

WASTE MEDICINES

What should patients be advised to do?

Answer 4

Patients should be advised that unused, unwanted medicines should be returned to a pharmacy for safe disposal

Question 5

COLLECTION AND PURCHASE OF MEDICINES BY CHILDREN

What are EIGHT factors to consider when children wish to collect or purchase medicines

Answer 5

1. Knowledge of child
2. Maturity of child -will they misuse or temper with it
   capable and competent to understand use of medicine?
3. Nature of medicine- can it be misused? e.g laxatives or CD
4. Prior arrangement- do they normally collect meds/ is there an arrangement in place
5. Reason for collection- patient housebound is the child the carer?
6. Advise on the use of medicine- if any additional information, how will it be passed onto patient
7. Local policies- does organisation have a policy on children collecting meds
8. Proof of identity -will they be able to prove identity