Emergency Supply

Question 1

What is emergency supply? Who can it be requested by?

Answer 1

in an emergency and under certain conditions, a pharmacist working in a registered pharmacy may supply a POM without a prescription

if requested by

• an appropriate practitioner
• the patient

Question 2

What steps must be taken for emergency supply at the request of a prescriber?

Answer 2

must be an appropriate prescriber
must be an emergency
prescription must be sent within 72 hours
medicine must be supplied in accordance to the directions given

cannot supply CDs (1/2/3)
- phenobarbital is the only exception (epilepsy) and can only be requested by UK prescribers

records must be kept

Question 3

What records must be kept for emergency supply at the request of a prescriber?

Answer 3

an entry must be made into the POM register on the date of the supply or within 24 hours

date of supply
date on the prescription 
date in which the prescription was received 
medicine details
- name, quantity, formulation, strength 
prescriber details 
- name, address
patient details 
- name, address

Question 4

What steps must be taken for emergency supply at the request of a patient?

Answer 4

interview must be done
- preferably face to face
emergency 
- is there an immediate need
previous treatment 
- must have been previously prescribed 
dose
- must be satisfied with knowing the dose normally given (PMR)

cannot supply CDs (1/2/3 or salts)
- phenobarbital is the only exception (epilepsy)

length of treatment

• CDs (phenobarbital/Sch 4/Sch 5) = five days treatment
• POMs = thirty days treatment

Question 5

What are the rules in regards to what type of medicine can be sold?

Answer 5

cannot supply CDs (1/2/3 or salts)
- phenobarbital is the only exception (epilepsy) for UK prescribers

products must have a UK MA

Question 6

What products are exceptions to emergency supply rules?

Answer 6

insulin, ointments, creams, inhalers for asthma
- smallest pack size available should be supplied

oral contraceptives
- full treatment cycle should be supplied

liquid antibiotics
- smallest quantity to provide a full course of treatment should be supplied

Question 7

What records must be kept for emergency supply at the request of a patient?

Answer 7

date of supply
medicine details 
- name, quantity, formulation, strength
patient details 
- name, address
information on the nature of the emergency 

reference number and costs
- best practice

Question 8

What is the difference between the labelling requirements of emergency supply at the request of a prescriber and patient?

Answer 8

emergency supply at the request of a patient must be labelled
- ‘emergency supply’