B2; requirements and labelling

Question 1

what are the requirements for a legally valid prescription? (seven points)

Answer 1

• Written in indelible ink
• Signature of prescriber (ink or electronic)
• Address of prescriber
• Date – POMs valid for 6 months from the ‘appropriate date’
• Particulars (qualifications / occupation) of prescriber
• Name and address of patient
• Age of patient if under 12 years

Question 2

Describe faxed and digital prescriptions

Answer 2

-not legally valid
-digital prescription is an email of a prescription (not EPS)
-never supply for controlled drugs

Question 3

what is the electronic prescription sevice (EPS)?

Answer 3

-most NHS primary care prescriptions now sent this way
-advanced electronic signature

Question 4

what are patient specific directions which can be in hospital or other settings? MEP 3.3.9

Answer 4

• A written instruction from a doctor, dentist or
  non-medical prescriber for a medicine to be
  supplied or administered to a named patient,
  after the prescriber has assessed that patient
  on an individual basis
  -verbal directions legally permitted only during emergency

Question 4

what should you check for when looking at details of the patient-age, weight, ethnicity, gender, test results?

Answer 4

-will these affect the efficacy of the medicine?
-will these affect the dose of the medicine?
-will these affect the safety of the medicine (risk of adverse effects)?

Question 4

what three things do you look for during a prescription clinical check to make sure it is safe and effective?

Answer 4

-look at details of the patient (age, weight, ethnicity, gender)
-look at the details of the medicine (drug, strength, dose, formulation)
-look at anything else the patient is taking

Question 5

what should you check for when looking at the details of the medicine- drug, strength, dose, formulation?

Answer 5

-will the condition (indication) be treated?
-will this formulation/route of administration be suitable for this patient?
-will it be safe for this patient (or more likely to be beneficial than harmful)?

Question 6

what should you check for if the patient is taking any other external medicines?

Answer 6

-will there be an interaction with other prescription medicines (on this prescription or
previously)?
-will there be an interaction with non-prescription medicines (OTC sales)?
-will there be an interaction with food and drink (alcohol, dairy, grapefruit juice)?

Question 7

how do you label dispensed medicines? (look at example on one note)

Answer 7

• Name of patient
• Name and address of supplying pharmacy
• Date of dispensing
• Name of medicine (name, quantity, form, strength)
• Directions for use (expanded and optimised)
• Precautions relating to use

Question 8

What types of precautions are there relating to the use of dispensed medicines?

Answer 8

• ‘For external use only’ (or ‘not to be taken’)
• ‘Use this medicine only on your skin’ (creams, ointments etc.)
• ‘For nasal / rectal / vaginal use only’ (as appropriate)
• BNF cautionary and advisory labels (look at numbers under medicinal forms)
• Food and drink interactions
• ‘Shake before use’ (or ‘shake the bottle’)
• ‘Keep out of the sight and reach of children’ (KOOSAROC)

Question 9

Describe the accuracy check step

Answer 9

-final step
-legal and clinical check completed by pharmacist
-medicine dispensed and labelled
-Accuracy check may be completed by a suitably trained member