Emergency Supply

Question 1

What is an emergency supply

Answer 1

This is when a pharmacist can lawfully supply a POM if certain conditions are met

Sometimes patients have an urgent need for a POM and are unable to get access to a prescription

Question 2

What are the 2 main types of supply

Answer 2

AT REQUEST OF A PATIENT- uk registered doc, dentist etc…
EEA practitioners: doctors, dentists, prescribing nurses and pharmacists from EEA And Switzerland

EMERGENCY SUPPLY AT THE REQUEST OF A PATIENT

Question 3

Conditions: request of a prescribed

Answer 3

Must be a relevant prescriber who is unable to provide an immediate prescription
The relevant prescriber must provide a script in 72hours
POM is supplied in accordance to the recommendations of the prescriber
A record of the supply must be made

Question 4

What drugs cannot be ordered

Answer 4

CDs 1,2,3
Except phenobarbitone for treatment of epilepsy (EEA prescribers can’t have this)

For EEA prescribers- drugs without MS which are valid in the UK
Note the EU MA may be valid in the UK

Question 5

Conditions for supply at the request of a patient

Answer 5

The pharmacist must INTERVIEW the patient and be satisfied that:

There is an immediate need for POM
that it is IMPRACTICABLE (not impossible) to obtain a prescription
POM has been prescribed before on a previous occasion by a relavent prescriber
Appropriate dose for that patient
Record must be kept
EMERGENCY SUPPLY must be on label

Question 6

What is the max emergency supply at the request of a patient

Answer 6

POMs- usually 30 days
Oral contraceptives- sufficient for a full cycle
Insulin, inhaler, creams/ointment- smallest pack available
Antibiotic- in liquid for smallest quantity that provides a full treatment
Phenobarbitone or S4,5 CD- no more than 5 days

Question 7

Other considerations

Answer 7

Consequences of not supplying 
Patient ID 
Check SCR 
Has doc stopped medication 
Other medication 
When was it last prescribed 
Abuse 
What is surgery is open 
Refusal to supply

Question 8

Record for supply at the request of a prescriber

Answer 8

Date of supply 
The name, quantity, form and strength of POM 
The name and address of the prescriber 
Name and address of patient 
Date on prescription 
Date prescription received

Question 9

Records: supply at the request of a patient

Answer 9

Date supplied
The name, strength, form and quantity of drug
Name and address of the patient or person requiring the POM

NATURE OF THE EMERGENCY

Question 10

3 pieces of information for nature of emergency

Answer 10

1) why no medicine is available
2) why is the medicine needed
3) why can’t a prescription be obtained