Exemptions on retail Flashcards
What is a typical route for the sale, supply, and administration of medicines in a registered pharmacy ?
- GSL (General Sales List), P (Pharmacy), and POMs (Prescription Only Medicines)
What are the exemptions to restrictions on sale, supply + administration of medicines ?
- Patient Specific Directions (PSDs)
- Patient Group Directions (PGDs)
- Optometrist or podiatrist signed patient
order - School supplies- salbutamol/ adrenaline
- Naloxone for drug treatment services
- Emergency Supply (see PL&E7B)
Where can GSL (General Sales List) medicines be sold or supplied without the supervision of a pharmacist?
- can be sold or supplied in places like supermarkets and vending machines without pharmacist supervision.
What is a Patient Specific Direction (PSD)?
- Written instruction from a doctor, dentist, or non-medical prescriber for a medicine to be supplied or administered to a named patient, following an individual assessment.
Can organisations limit who is authorised to supply or administer medicines under a PSD?
- Yes, organisations can choose to limit who is authorised to supply and/or administer medicines under a PSD.
What is an example of where a PSD might be used?
- a hospital ward inpatient chart or a discharge medicines list
Is there a list of criteria for PSD’s ?
- No list of criteria but must be enough information for person to safety administer.
Can a PSD for administration be given verbally or by telephone?
- Yes, a PSD for administration can be given verbally or by telephone, though a written PSD is generally preferred, as per Specialist Pharmacy Service advice.
Should there be a separation of roles when it comes to prescribing and administering medicines under a PSD?
- Yes, there should be a separation of prescribing and supply/administration roles wherever possible.
What is a Patient Group Direction (PGD)?
- PGD is a written direction that allows specified medicines to be supplied and/or administered by authorised health professionals to a well-defined group of patients requiring treatment for a specific condition.
What recent change allows registered pharmacy technicians to be involved in PGDs?
- Registered pharmacy technicians are now allowed to supply and administer medicines under a PGD in the course of their professional practice.
When is a PGD used in relation to patient care?
- PGDs are reserved for situations where they benefit patient care without compromising patient safety
What are some examples of situations where a PGD might be used?
- Baby immunisation clinic/ seasonal vaccinations (planned)
– Oral contraception (unplanned via walk-in centre/ pharmacy)
– Pharmacy First- supply of nitrofurantoin for uncomplicated UTI
Can Pharmacy (P) or General Sales List (GSL) medicines be administered without a PGD or PSD?
- Yes, P or GSL medicines can be administered without a PGD or PSD, and pre-packed GSL medicines can be supplied without a PGD.
When is a PGD or PSD required for the supply of a Pharmacy (P) medicine?
- A PGD or PSD is required for the supply of a P medicine unless an exemption applies, or the supply is made under a pharmacist’s supervision or by a registered midwife.
How should PGD’s be labelled ?
- as if supplied against a prescription
Can optometrists and podiatrists write prescriptions for POMs?
- Only if they are qualified as independent or supplementary prescribers.
Can pharmacists supply POMs based on a signed patient order from an optometrist or podiatrist?
- Yes, but the medicine must be one legally sold or supplied by the optometrist or podiatrist, not just administered by them
Do signed patient orders need usual prescription requirements?
- No, they do not require the usual prescription format.
What labeling requirements apply to medicines dispensed under signed patient orders?
- Label as a dispensed medicinal product, include a Patient Information Leaflet (PIL), and record the supply in the POM register.
Which medicines can be supplied to schools via a signed order?
- Adrenaline autoinjectors and/or salbutamol inhalers.
Who administers these medicines in schools?
- Trained personnel, during emergencies, to pupils who have been prescribed the medication and with parental consent.
What information must be included on a signed order for schools?
- School name.
- Product details.
- Strength of the medicine.
- Purpose of the medicine.
- Total quantity (small, occasional basis).
- Signature of the principal or head teacher.
- Ideally on letter-headed paper.
How long must the signed order (SO) be retained?
- Retain the SO for 2 years from the date of supply OR make an entry in the POM register (best practice is to do both).
