Law & MEP Flashcards
Define GSL medicine.
Sold in a registered pharmacy or retail outlet that can close to the publicHold an EU/ UK Marketing Authorisation or Traditional Herbal registration or GSL homeopathic product.
Can GSL medicines be sold in the absence of the responsible pharmacist?
Yes, providing they have signed in as RP on the pharmacy Record. Unless they have been absent for over 2 hours- then you can’t unless another pharmacist becomes the RP.
If they have not (i.e. they are late) then GSL sale can only commence once the RP has signed in.
Can P medicines be sold in the absence of the RP?
NO- not in absence of RP, unless a second pharmacist is present.
What cannot take place when the Responsible pharmacist is absent for under 2 hours?
Sale of P Medicines
Handing out prescriptions and bagged meds
Handing prescriptions to delivery driver
These CAN all take place if a second Pharmacist is present.
What two active ingredients used in cold and flu remedies must NOT be sold at the same time?
Pseudoephedrine
Ephedrine
What are the two licensed EHC drugs that can be obtained from a pharmacy?
Levonorgestrel 1500 mcg (Levonelle One Step)
Ulipristal Acetate 30mg (Ella One)
How many days after unprotected sex is Levonorgestrel licensed for?
What about Ulipristal Acetate?
Levonorgestrel= 3 days (72 hours)
Ulipristal acetate= 5 days (120 hours)
What age is Levonorgestrel licensed for?
Levornorgesterel is licensed for use in over 16 years. Can be given to under 16’s only if a locally commissioned PGD is in place.
What age is Ulipristal Acetate licensed for?
Ella One can be used in any girl of child-bearing age- so can be used in under 16’s
At what age must you report sexual activity of a patient requesting EHC?
Children under 13 are legally too young to consent to any sexual activity.
Any younger requesting this should be reported to social services.
Children under 16 also not legal although its may be consensual i.e. with a male also under 16.
Can pharmacists legally provide an advanced supply of EHC?
Yes
If you decided to supply a child under 16 with EHC, can patient information be disclosed without consent?
No- still need to obtain consent in order to disclose information. Info can be shared if safeguarding an issue- judge on a case by case basis.
If the patient vomits within how many hours of Levonelle/ Ella One should they take another dose?
2 hours of taking Levonorgesterel
3 hours of taking Ella One (Ulipristal)
At what point in the menstrual cycle should EHC be taken? Can it be taken more than once per cycle?
Can be taken at any point.
SPC for Levonelle states It is not advisable to take more than 1 per cycle as it can disrupt the cycle.
NB: RPS guidance says that women can take more than one if appropriate but should be advised about cycle disruption.
A patient, who you are aware has alcoholic liver cirrhosis, asks for EHC. What do you do?
Refer.
Neither EHC are recommended in severe liver dysfunction
What medication can Levonorgestrel increase the toxicity of?
Ciclosporin
Can EHC be used in breast feeding women?
Levonorgestrel appears in small amounts in breast milk- should not be harmful, but take tablet after a feed to allow maximal team until next feed.
Ulipristal acetate is present in breast milk for 1 week after administration. Advise mother not to BF in this time but express and discard the milk to maintain lactation.
Which EHC drug can reduce the efficacy of COC and POP pills?
Ulipristal acetate.
Patients should use barrier methods until next period as their normal contraceptive cover will be reduced.
A patient has received EHC, and asks if they have unprotected sex again before their next period, will the be okay?
No- it does not provide protection against pregnancy for the rest of the cycle- they will need to use contraceptive measures if they want to have sex again such as start the pill or condoms.
What is the max number of paracetamol non effervescent and aspirin non effervescent you can buy OTC?
100 of each.
Come in packs of 16 and 32 so you would not be able to sell this amount anyway
What is OTC codeine/ dihydrocodeine products indicated for?
Short term (3 days max) treatment of acute - moderate pain not relieved by paracetamol, ibuprofen or aspirin alone.NOT for cold, flu sore throat etc.
What is the largest pack size of codeine/ dihydrocodeine products available OTC?
32
Anything bigger requires an MA as a POMRPS recommends the sale of just one pack of 32 at any one time.
Why are many cough and cold remedies now no longer used in children under 6 years?
Limited evidence of efficacy. Ingredients linked to SEs including allergic reactions, sleep disturbances and hallucinations.
Medicines containing what 4 types of cough and cold remedy ingredients have been deemed unsuitable for children under 6 years?
Antitussives (eg dextromethorphan, pholcodine)
Expectorants (eg Guaifenesin)
Nasal decongestants (pseudoephidrine, phenyephidrine, oxymetazoline)
Antihistamines- but these may still be used in hayfever
These medications should only be used second line in children 6-12 years, for a maximum of 5 days
What is first line treatment for nasal congestion in children?
Saline nasal drops
Vapour rubs
Decongestants- e.g. Karvol decongestant drops
What is first line treatment for a cough in a child?
Warm, clear fluids, honey and lemon if child is OVER 1 year old.
Simple cough mixtures- eg. glycerol or simple linctus
Can podiatrists and physiotherapists independent prescribers prescribe POMs? What about CDs?
Yes if in their area of expertise
They can only prescribe the following CDs for oral administration: Diazepam Dihydrocodeine Lorazepam Temazepam
Physiotherapist IPs can also prescribe: Oxycodone (oral)
Morphine (oral or injection)
Fentanyl (transdermal)
What is the ‘appropriate date’ on a prescription?
Rx’s are valid for 6 months for this
This is the later of either the date the prescription was signed or the date indicated by the prescriber.
For PRIVATE Rxs: the appropriate date will always be the date on which the Rx was signed
When must age be stated on a prescription?
If the patient is under 12 years old
What units need to be written in full on prescriptions?
Micrograms
Nanograms
Units (i.e for insulin)
What does ‘repeatable prescription’ mean?
It means the prescriber has added an instruction onto the main prescription for the item to be repeated.
It is NOT referring to the prescription counterpart that patients tick in the pharmacy to indicate to their prescriber what they need on their Rx next time.
Are NHS prescriptions repeatable?
NOT repeatable.
Are Rx’s for Sch 2, 3, 4 and 5 CDs repeatable?
Rx’s for Schedules 2 and 3 CDs are NOT repeatable.
Rx’s for Schedule 4 and 5 are.
Are private prescriptions repeatable?
Private prescriptions can be repeated, indicated by prescriber, e.g. ‘Repeat x 3’ means the Rx can be dispensed 4 times in total.
If the number of repeats is not stated on an Rx- i.e. it just says ‘Repeat’, they can only be repeated once. What is the exception to this rule?
Prescriptions for an oral contraceptive. This can be dispensed 6 times if the number of repeats is not specified, within 6 months of appropriate date.
You have OWINGS on a Rx for P meds and GSL meds. How long do you have to dispense these owed items?
6 months
6 months for POMS + Sch 5 CDs
28 days for Sch 2,3,4 CDs
How long should private Rxs be kept?
How long should the POM book be kept?
2 years- for repeatable Rx this should be 2 years from last dispensing date.
Keep POM book for 2 years from last entry.
What needs to be entered in the POM register?
Date Name, strength and form of medicine Quantity supplied Name and address of patient Nature of the emergency
Prescriptions for what are exempt from having to be written in the POM register?
For oral contraceptives
For schedule 2 CDs- as these will be recorded in the CD register
Are details of the medicinal product (Name, strength, quantity, dose) legal requirements for POM prescriptions?
No
But they are obviously needed for supply
Can you dispense against a faxed prescription?
No- not legally valid
Not written in indelible ink
Risk not receiving an original prescription
Do it as an emergency supply instead
Can emergency supplies be made for EEA/ Swiss prescribers?
Yes
Prescription still needs to be received in 72 hours from EEA prescriber
NB: Schedule 1,2,3 CDs cannot be supplied- INCLUDING phenobarbital
Can community nurse practitioners, optometrist, pharmacist independent, physiotherapist, podiatrist, EEA/ Swiss doctors request emergency supplies?
Yes
How long have prescribers got to get a written prescription to the pharmacy if they request an emergency supply?
72 hours
Emergency supplies cannot be made for CDs Schedule 1, 2, 3. With the exception of what?
Phenobarbital
For EPILEPSY by as UK-registered Doctor (NOT EEA)
Can an emergency supply be made to a patients relative?
Should be able to interview the patient themselves.
However at times this may not be possible- e.g. a young child or patient being cared for. In this case use professional judgement