Drug Classification & Acts

Question 1

Medicines Act (1968)

Answer 1

the government way in regulating drugs

Question 2

Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Acts (MHRA)

Answer 2

responsible for ensuring safety of drugs

to report any adverse drug reaction through the yellow card system

Question 3

3 classifications of drugs

Answer 3

1. Prescription Only Medication ( POM)
2. Under the supervision of a
   Pharmacist (P)
3. General Sales Licenses ( GSL)

Question 4

POM

Answer 4

These drugs can only be prescribed by a qualified practitioner or independent prescribers

Question 5

P

Answer 5

These drugs are licensed so they can be brought with a prescription but a pharmacist has to agree to them

Question 6

GSL

Answer 6

These drugs don’t require a prescription are sold at a retail establishments but limit the amount of how many drugs you can buy at any one time.

Question 7

Unlicensed Drugs

Answer 7

are drugs given to patients to treat diseases process that a drug hasn’t been licensed for

Question 8

Controlled Drugs

Answer 8

1. Under the Misuse of Drugs Act (1971)
2. Always classified as a POM
3. Strict controlled = high risk of addition / overdose & death
4. Kept in locked cabinet, double signatures required, register to record when/how much and whom is it given to

Question 9

The Misuse of Drugs Act (1971)

Answer 9

Regulation of controlled drugs which dictate the supply, possession and removal of drugs

Question 10

Patient Group Direction (PGD)

Answer 10

A legal framework that allows the supply/administration of a specific medicines to a predefined group without a prescription.

Eg: flu vaccination

Question 11

Benefits of PGD

Answer 11

1. Timely access

2. Accessible treatment in multiple locations

Question 12

Patient Specific Direction (PSD)

Answer 12

is an instruction to administer medication to a list of individually named patients after been assessed by the prescriber

Question 13

Mental Capacity Act (2005)

Answer 13

1. To assume a person has capacity unless otherwise
2. A person is not be treated as unable to make a decision unless all steps have been taken
3. Our roles as a nurse it to ensure all
   Information is provided it’s easy to understand so they can make an informed decision
4. All decision must be in their best interest
5. People are able to make unwise decisions
6. Any actions made should be the least restrictive to the persons freedom
7. If a person lacks capacity to consent to medicines it can be forced on them to prevent deterioration of health

Question 14

Medical ethics under

The Medicine Acts (1968)

Answer 14

1. NMC (2018) states that only a medical practitioner is able to prescribe unlicensed medications
2. Covert medication administration must be authorised by the prescribed before a nurse can administer it
3. Nurses are not allowed to change the form of a medication unless it has been prescribed as it may lose its effectiveness and it hasn’t be licensed to be taken in that form and would in breach of the medicines act

Question 15

Medical ethics

Answer 15

1. Autonomy
2. Beneficence
3. Non-maleficence
4. Justice