LAW AND ETHICS Flashcards
Prescriptions from the EEA or SwitzerlandAllowed
Allowed if issued by an approved health professional in an approved country
Emergency supplies for patients of these health professionals are also permitted
Prescription requirements from an approved health professional
Patient details – full first name, surname and DOB
Prescriber details – full first name, surname, professional qualifications, direct contact details incl. email address and telephone or fax number (with international prefix), work address (including country they work in)
Prescribed medicine details – name of the medicine (brand name where appropriate), form, quantity, strength and dosage details
Prescriber signature
Date of issue – valid up to 6 months from the appropriate date (Sch 4 CD’s is 28 days). Appropriate date is when prescription was signed.
invalid prescriptions?
A fax of a prescription does not fall within the definition of a legally valid prescription (not written in indelible ink)
Copies of ‘electronic prescriptions’ on an email or on a patients’ phone in their online account, including an image (photo or scanned) does not meet the requirements of a valid advanced electronic signature, hence not a valid prescription
National Health Service (Amendments Relating to Pre-Payment Certificates, Hormone Replacement Therapy Treatments and Medicines Shortages) Regulations 2023.
A patient with an HRT PPC will continue to pay the prescription charge for any other (non-HRT) medicines (unless another exemption reason applies)
other (non-HRT) medicines (unless another exemption reason applies)
GPs will be required to write HRT items on separate prescriptions.
GPs will be required to write HRT items on separate prescriptions. Where it is not (mixed prescription) the pharmacist can:
FIRST refuse to dispense a mixed prescription issued to the patient
SECOND dispense the listed HRT item or
dispense the other non-HRT medicine(s) with the prescription charge(s) paid.
THIRD
dispense both the listed HRT itemandthe other medicine – and complete an FP57 refund form for the HRT item and charge for the other medicine
What are the Human Medicines (Amendment Relating to Original Pack Dispensing (England and Wales and Scotland) Regulations 2023?
These regulations allow pharmacists to dispense up to 10% more or less of the quantity of a medicine prescribed, as long as the medicine is dispensed in its original packaging. This is intended to improve patient safety by ensuring that patients receive the correct information about their medication.
When do the regulations come into force?
The regulations come into force on a date to be specified in a commencement order.
What are the conditions under which a pharmacist can dispense a different quantity of medicine to that prescribed?
The pharmacist can dispense a different quantity of medicine if:
The difference between the quantity prescribed and the quantity supplied is no more than 10%.
The pharmacist considers, in the exercise of their professional skill and judgement, that the sale or supply of a different quantity to that ordered on the prescription may mean that the patient does not, or is not able to, follow the medication regimen as intended by the prescriber.
What are the two main restrictions on the sale of codeine and dextrocodeine OTC products?
the pack size must not contain more than 32 dose units
medicine must be for the short-term treatment of acute, moderate pain that is not relieved by paracetamol, ibuprofen or aspirin alone
What warning must be displayed on the front of the packaging of codeine and dextrocodeine OTC products?
“can cause addiction, for 3 days use only”
Who is eligible for the Hypertension Case-Finding Service?
People over the age of 40 who have not previously been diagnosed with hypertension.
What is the role of the pharmacist in the Hypertension Case-Finding Service?
To provide blood pressure checks and refer patients to their GP if necessary.
What is the role of the GP in the Hypertension Case-Finding Service?
To diagnose and manage hypertension in patients referred by the pharmacist.
Who is eligible for the NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service?
Women aged 17 to 45 years old who:
Are not pregnant or breastfeeding.
Do not have certain medical conditions that make hormonal contraception unsuitable.
What is one benefit of using the NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service?
Convenient access to contraception without needing a GP appointment.
