Legislation

Question 1

What is extemporaneous dispensing?

Answer 1

Preparing medicines for a patient immediately before they require them.

Question 2

State 4 types of products that can be extemporaneously dispensed.

Answer 2

Solutions (internal and external use)
Suspensions (internal and external use)
Ointments
Pastes
Gels
Suppositories

Question 3

State 5 reasons why a medicinal product could be extemporaneously dispensed.

Answer 3

1. Patient unable to swallow tablets.
2. Required dose may not be available in proprietary form.
3. Proprietary product may need to be diluted.
4. Clinical trials may still be taking place.
5. Chemist’s Nostrums.

Question 4

Name 3 appropriate practitioners who can prescribe.

Answer 4

Doctors
Pharmacist independent prescribers
Physiotherapist independent prescribers 
Chiropodists/podiatrist independent prescribers
Dentists
Nurse independent prescribers
Optometrist independent prescribers
Paramedic independent prescribers
Community practitioner nurse prescribers
Supplementary prescribers (must be agreed by Dr and patient)

Question 5

How long is a prescription valid for?

Answer 5

A standard prescription is valid for 6 months from the date on the prescription, unless the medicine prescribed contains a controlled drug.

Question 6

How long should prescriptions (NHS and private) be retained for by the pharmacy?

Answer 6

Pharmacy copies of prescriptions should be retained for 2 years, after which they should be destroyed.

Question 7

How long should discharge prescriptions be retained for in the patient’s case notes by the pharmacy?

Answer 7

At least 6 years.

Question 8

What are Chemist’s Nostrums?

Answer 8

These are medicines that are made up in a pharmacy by the pharmacist according to a formulation for a specific patient.

Question 9

What is a proprietary product?

Answer 9

A medicinal product made by a pharmaceutical company.

Question 10

What does endorsing a prescription mean?

Answer 10

The process of endorsing confirms the exact items that have been dispensed to a patient so that pharmacists can claim the appropriate fee for dispensing the item and any additional allowances they are entitled to.

Question 11

How do you endorse an NHS prescription of a proprietary product?

Answer 11

For proprietary products there will be a code book for each product. Write the code and the quantity as a fraction on the right-hand-side of the prescription.

Question 12

How do you endorse an extemporaneously dispensed product?

Answer 12

Prescription will be coded with a black diamond at the right hand side (shows that item is not in the code book). This will have a higher fee.

Question 13

How do you endorse a private prescription?

Answer 13

Enter details of prescription into the private prescription book. Write a reference number in the private prescription book, on label of product and on the body of the prescription.

Question 14

Records must be kept for a minimum of 2 years. What details should be included in the record?

Answer 14

Formula, ingredients, quantities used
Their source, batch number, expiry date
Patient and prescription details 
Date dispensed
Record of personnel involved, including the 	  identity of the pharmacist taking overall 	  responsibility

Question 15

What are the 4 legal categories of medicines for human use?

Answer 15

POM, P, GSL, Controlled Drugs

Question 16

What 8 things are legally required to be put on a dispensing label?

Answer 16

1. Name of patient
2. Name and address of supplying pharmacy
3. Date of dispensing
4. Name of medicine
5. Directions for use
6. Precautions
7. Keep out of sight and reach of children
8. Use this medicine only on your skin (If applicable)

Question 17

How is a Chemist’s Nostrum labelled?

Answer 17

When a pharmacy supplies an unlicensed medicine there is no legal requirement to give a package leaflet. Therefore the patient will rely on the information that your pharmacy staff give them. You should give appropriate advice and information (in writing if possible).

Question 18

Pharm Calc topic:

When are triturations required?

Answer 18

Triturations are required when the
quantity of active drug required is less
than 50 mg and so cannot be
accurately weighed out.

Question 19

Pharm Calc topic:

What are triturations?

Answer 19

A trituration is essentially a dilution of
your required material in another solid
or liquid.

Question 20

Pharm Calc topic:

Solid and liquid triturations can be performed. How do you know which one to do?

Answer 20

Whether solid or fluid triturations are
performed depends on the nature of
the formulation and the solubility of
the drug. If the drug is very soluble a liquid diluent is used.

Question 21

Pharm Calc topic:

Define displacement value and what its used for.

Answer 21

Used for the manufacture of suppositories.
Displacement Value can be defined as the volume of drug that displaces 1 gram of suppository base (depending on its density).

Question 22

Pharm Calc topic:

What is the displacement value of aqueous solutions and liquids?

Answer 22

The DV value of aqueous solutions and all liquid
drugs is always 1.
DV = 1