Exemptions - Optometrist/Podiatrists, Midwives

Question 1

What midwives/student midwives sell or supply?

Answer 1

all GSL products
all P medicines

only POMs containing:

• diclofenac
• hydrocortisone acetate
• phytomenadione
• miconazole
• nystatin

student midwives can sell/supply all those listed under the direct supervision of a registered midwife

only in the course of their professional practice

Question 2

What can midwives/student midwives administer?

Answer 2

can administer some POMs via the parenteral route

ergometrine maleate 
naloxone
oxytocins
morphine, diamorphine, pethidine (CDs)
phytomenadione

lidocaine
- only when attending a woman in childbirth

student midwives can administer all those listed except the CDs under the direct supervision of a registered midwife

only in the course of their professional practice

Question 3

What can podiatrists sell/supply?

Answer 3

any may sell or supply any GSL

any may sell or supply ibuprofen and any P for external use including:
- potassium permanganate crystals or solution, ointment of heparinoid and hyaluronidase, clotrimazole 1%, crotamicron 10%, econazole 1%

registered podiatrists with relevant qualifications may sell or supply the following POMS
- codeine phosphate, co-codamol, co-dydramol 10/500, amorolfine cream max strength 0.25% w/w, amorolfine lacquer max strength 5% w/v, hydrocortisone max strength 1% w/w, amoxicillin

only in the course of their professional practice

Question 4

What can podiatrists administer?

Answer 4

registered podiatrists with relevant qualifications may administer:
- bupivacaine, lignocaine, prilocaine, adrenaline

Question 5

What can optometrists sell/supply/administer?

Answer 5

registered optometrists may sell or supply
- all GSL = must be in the course of their professional practice

• all P = must be in the course of their professional practice
• certain POMs not for parenteral administration
  = fusidic acid, tropicamide, chlorampenicol (not more than 0.5% drops or 1 % ointment)
  = must be in the course of their practice and in an emergency

Question 6

When can optometrists/podiatrists authorise the supply of POMs?

Answer 6

can only authorise the supply if they are qualified as independent or supplementary prescribers

must authorise it on a signed order
- cannot write a prescription

medicines requested must be those which can be legally sold/supplied by the optometrists/podiatrists rather than one they can only administer

Question 7

When can owners and master of ships deal with POMs?

Answer 7

when there is no doctor on board may supply all medicines and provided that such supply is necessary for treatment of persons on the ship
- all GSL, P and POMs

may administer POMs that are for parenteral administration

Question 8

When can the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and certified first aiders of the Institution deal with POMs?

Answer 8

may supply but not sell
- all GSL, P, POMs
= provided that the GSL, P and POMs are necessary for the treatment of sick and injured persons

Question 9

When can first aid organisations deal with POMs?

Answer 9

may supply but not sell

- GSL and P medicines provided they are for the treatment of sick and injured persons

Question 10

When can a business deal with POMs?

Answer 10

are called Occupational Health Schemes (OHS)

business providing facilities for employees may supply but not sell all medicinal products in the course of the scheme, provided that

• supply is in the course of OHS
• if supplying POM, and person supplying is not a doctor,
  then it should be a registered nurse acting in accordance with instructions from doctor
• if supplying a POM then the pharmacist needs a signed order from a doctor or a registered nurse

may administer all POMs that are for parenteral administration, provided that the admin
- it is in the course of the OHS, the person is a doctor or acting under directions of doctor

Question 11

When can offshore installations deal with POMs?

Answer 11

first aid personnel on offshore installations
- may supply GSL, P and POMs

• administer POMs which are parenteral administration
  = provided that the supply or administration is necessary for the treatment of persons on the installations

Question 12

When can paramedics deal with POMs?

Answer 12

ambulance paramedics

• must hold a certificate of proficiency in ambulance paramedic skills
• must be a registered paramedic

may administer certain parenteral POMs

• diazepam 5mg/ml emulsion for injection
• succinylated modified fluid gelatin 4% intravenous infusion
• a list of POMs

the administration must only be for the immediate, necessary treatment of sick or injured persons