Emergency Supply

Question 1

What is meant by an emergency supply?

Answer 1

Instances where as a pharmacists working in a registered retail pharmacy need to supply POM in the absence of a prescription at the request of a patient or prescriber

Question 2

What are the criteria for emergency supply at request of a prescriber?

Answer 2

• Whether they are a relevant prescriber
• Determine whether it is an emergency - if prescription cannot be provided immediately
• Prescription is written within 72 hours
• Need directions on how medicine should be taken
• Not for CDs except phenobarbital

Question 3

What must a pharmacist do in the case of an emergency supply?

Answer 3

An entry must be made into the POM register on the day of the supply

Question 4

State the criteria for an emergency supply at the request of a PATIENT

Answer 4

• Pharmacist need to interview patient (may not be appropriate in all scenarios)
• Whether there is an immediate need
• POM requested must previously have been used as a treatment
• Pharmacist must be satisfied of knowing the dosage required
• Not for Sch 1,2,3 CDs; exceptions for phenobarbital for treatment of epilepsy
• Length of treatment - Schedule 4 and 5 max 5 days and POM max 30 days

Question 5

What must a POM register entry for an emergency supply at the request of a PATIENT include?

Answer 5

• Date POM was supplied
• Name, form, strength and quantity of medicine
• Name and address of the patient for whom the POM was supplied
• Information on the nature of the emergency i.e why the POM is needed and why a prescription couldn’t be obtained