Emergency Supply of Prescription Only Medicines

Question 1

What are the two types of emergency supply of POMs?

Answer 1

• Request of prescriber

- Request of patient

Question 2

When must the prescriber supply an Rx by after an emergency request?

Answer 2

72 hours

Question 3

Can any POM be given as emergency supply?

Answer 3

Any aside from CD schedule 1, 2 or 3; except phenobarbital for epilepsy.

Question 4

When must an entry to the POR be made (for request of prescriber) and what should this contain?

Answer 4

Same day (or next day if impractical to access Prescription Only Register).
Should include:
- Date of supply
- Name/quantity/form/strength (dose not required but good practice)
- Prescriber name + address
- Patient name + address
- Date on Rx
- Date Rx received (can be added when Rx is received…)

Question 5

What is the only difference in the request for emergency supply for EEA/Swiss prescribers?

Answer 5

• Same requirements but just cannot supply ANY Schedule 1, 2 or 3 CD drugs at all including phenobarbital.

Question 6

What are the requirements of an emergency request by a patient?

Answer 6

Interview patient to establish:

• Immediate need
• POM requested has been previously prescribed by a prescriber
• Dose is correct/understood
• That it is not practical to obtain Rx w/o undue delay
• Not for Schedule 1, 2 or 3 drugs apart from phenobarbital

Question 7

What are the conditions of emergency supply at the request of a patient?

Answer 7

• No more than 5 days’ supply of CDs (Schedule 4 or 5 or phenobarbital)
• No more than 30 days’ supply of other POMs unless:
  > insulin/ointment/cream/inhaler for asthma (but supply smallest pack),
  > oral contraceptive (supply full cycle)
  > antibiotic in liquid form (smallest quantity for full course of treatment)
• Pharmacist uses own discretion if larger pack size may e required.

Question 8

What should an entry in the POR contain for supply at request of a patient?

Answer 8

• Date of supply
• Name of patient
• Name of drug/form/strength/quantity
• Nature of emergency

(No Rx required; no prescriber)

Question 9

What additional procedure is in place for the dispensed medicine for supply made at the request of a patient?

Answer 9

Dispensed medicine is labelled with ‘Emergency Supply’ as well as usual labels.