ePharmacy Flashcards
What is an ePharmacy?
A registered retail pharmacy that engages in the business of distribution or sale, stock, exhibit or offer for sale of drugs through an online portal or any other electronic mode.
Operates over the internet and sends the orders to customers through the mail or delivery companies.
What is the National Electronic Pharmacy Platform (NEPP)?
A technological platform commissioned and authorised by the Pharmacy Council to facilitate electronic pharmacy services.
***ePharmacies shall only use the NEPP either directly or indirectly to provide their services.
What are Pharmaceutical Services?
Services pertaining to pharmacists and pharmaceutical support staff in approved premises.
***Includes procurement, dispensing, counselling, distribution, storage, control of pharmaceuticals, and monitoring of patient drug therapy.
What are Electronic Pharmacy Services (ePharmacy Services)?
ePharmacy Services refer to all pharmaceutical services that registered Pharmacies are authorised to provide through the national electronic pharmacy platform.
ePharmacy services include;
i. Registration of Clients or Patients
ii. Issuing, Administering and Validating Prescriptions
iii. Sale and Delivery of Drugs iv. Recording and Reporting of Pharmaceutical Interactions
V. Pharmaceutical Care
vi. Supporting Medical Services - such as diagnostic tests booking
vii Monitoring, Maintenance, and Control of Quality
vii Assuring and Reporting on Safety and Therapeutic Effectiveness of Drugs
ix. Follow-up and Evaluation of Usage of Drugs
x. Dissemination of Information about Drugs - Consumer Education
What is prescription?
This is a written or electronic direction from a registered medical practitioner or other licensed health professionals, to a pharmacist to compound and or dispense a specific type and quantity of preparation or prefabricated drug to a patient/client.
…A scanned copy of the prescription is a valid prescription.
What makes an electronic message a legal and valid prescription?
It has to be:
• created in an electronic form, either by direct electronic entry or scanned written prescription;
• signed with an electronic signature, or directly on the written prescription before scanning;
• sent via the NEPP Electronic Prescription Service and no other messaging system; and
• then transferred to the pharmacy as an electronic communication.
What laws back the pharmacy policy?
i. Data Protection Act, 2012 (Act 843)
ii. Health Professions Regulatory Bodies Act, 2013, (ACT 857)
III . Public Health Act 2012, (Act 851)
What is the use of the NEPP?
The NEPP will serve as the nodal platform for transacting and monitoring pharmacy services in 🇬🇭
All orders for ePharmacies shall be placed only through the national ePharmacy platform.
Therefore, every ePharmacy must be registered, given access to and trained in using the national ePharmacy platform.
ePharmacies may develop their online platforms.
However, these independent platforms must be legally and technically linked to the national ePharmacy platform to ensure a synchronous recording and storage of transactions.
Independent platforms must be assessed and authorised for use for a given period by the Pharmacy Council.
Who is eligible for registration as a service provider?
⦿ ePharmacy services shall be limited to only licensed retail pharmacies duly approved to undertake internet pharmacy or mail order by the Pharmacy Council.
⦿ No person or entity is allowed to sell medicines online without obtaining registration for same.
⦿ Any person or entity who wishes to distribute, sell, stock, exhibit, or offer for sale drugs through an electronic medium shall obtain a registration certificate (which is valid for a period of twelve months) from the Pharmacy Council.
What are the conditions for registration as an ePharmacy service provider?
i. Only registered retail pharmaceutical entities are eligible to apply;
ii. Mandatory registration with the Data Protection Agency and compliance with existing laws, including the Data Protection Act, 2012 (Act843);
iii. The source(s) of the medicines to be supplied;
iv. The medicines must be registered for use in both the country of origin and the country of destination and use;
v. In situations where the medicine is not registrable in the country of origin, a certificate of the pharmaceutical product shall be submitted;
vi. Provisions in relation to the prescription and supply of medicines shall be duly complied with;
vii. The operator of an online or electronic pharmacy shall keep, in electronic format, all documentation on all transactions and shall make such documentation available for inspection; and
viii. ePharmacies shall have an obligation to provide periodic reports of ePharmacy transactions undertaken within a specified period as may be determined by the Pharmacy Council.
Registration of users/ clients
⦿All users (clients or patients) must register on the platform with a valid identification (e.g. the Ghana Card)
⦿All health professionals must also register on the platform with their registration numbers given to them by their respective regylatory bodies.
⦿A client’s medication history may be viewed from any registered health institution only with the permission of the client.
⦿The access granted by the client to any registered health facility must expire after a short period (e.g., 5 minutes)
Fees payable by ePharmacy service providers
⦿ The Governing Board of Pharmacy Council shall determine the fees, adjust the fees and set effective dates for such adjustments at any regular or special meeting of the Governing Board.
⦿The Governing Board also reserves the right to require that certain fees are paid in advance and/or are non-refundable in the event that an activity cannot be completed in accordance with the accreditation status.
3 types of fees are required:
1 All EPS applicants shall pay a non-refundable processing fee.
2 All accredited EPS providers shall pay an annual provider accreditation fee for a calendar year.
3 All Electronic Pharmacies shall pay an annual subscription fee to the Platform manager
Access rights to ePharmacy services
● Every Ghanaian or a person living in Ghana has a right to access NEPP services. ● Minors can access NEPP services through their caregivers and guardians.
● All users (clients) can only register on the platform with a valid identification (e.g., Ghana Card)
● All health professionals, registering as a service provider, must also register on the platform with their registration numbers given to them by their respective regulatory bodies in Ghana.
● Every registered user has the right to receive the appropriate non-discriminatory NEPP services in a professional manner.
● The cost of access to ePharmacy services is free of charge.
● Registered patients only pay for the cost (and delivery) of drugs, diagnostic tests, and the pharmaceutical care provided through the NEPP.
● Every registered user of NEPP has the right to select ePharmacy providers, including pharmacists in an ePharmacy, and those who deliver their orders.
● Every registered user of NEPP has the right to speak to the pharmacist of an ePharmacy provider.
● Every registered user of NEPP has to be treated with courtesy and respect, in a non-discriminating manner.
● Every registered user of NEPP has the right to receive assistance in the development, preparation, and periodic revision of their pharmaceutical care plan, as advised by the prescriber, and in a manner that is designed to best satisfy their current needs.
What are the Provisions for administration of an ePharmacy?
The provisions of the Pharmacy Council, Ghana for registered pharmacies shall apply to electronic pharmacies.
● All pharmacies must be in good standing with the Pharmacy Council to operate on the platform.
● Each electronic pharmacy is required to have a designated pharmacist.
