MEP Misc. Flashcards
Which biosimilar medicines are subject to a black triangle status?
- Adalimumab
- Bevacizumab
- Enoxaparin sodium
- Epoetin alfa
- Epoetin zeta
- Etanercept
- Filgrastim
- Follitropin alfa
- Infliximab
- Insulin glargine
- Insulin lispro
- Rituximab
- Somatropin
- Teriparatide
- Trastuzumab
Which benzodiazepines are in the Group 2 (higher limits) category?
COLD FeeT
Clonazepam
Oxazepam
Lorazepam
Diazepam
Flunitrazepam
Temazepam
fentanyl 25 mcg patches
What is the maximum recommended duration of supply on a single prescription for this medicine?
Fentanyl patches are a schedule 2 controlled drug. The validity of the prescription is 28 days but the recommended length of supply is up to 30 days.
Revalidation process
- four CPD records (two of which must be planned events)
- one peer discussion record
- one reflective account record
Codeine and dihydrocodeine
Can supply < 32 dose units OTC
Effervescent packs > 32 dose units are POM
Labels:
- Indication
- Medicine can cause addiction or headache if used continuously for more than three days
PIL:
- Indication
- Medicine can cause addiction or headache if used continuously for more than three days
- Warning signs of addiction
Prescription legal requirements
- Signature of the prescriber
- Address of the prescriber
- Particulars of the prescriber
- Date of prescription
- Patient name
- Patient address
- Age (if under 12 years)
On an NHS prescription, the date was signed on the 1st May but written ‘supply on 10th May’. What date can you legally supply this prescription from?
10th May.
*Note: For NHS prescriptions, the appropriate date is the later of either the date on which the prescription was signed or a date indicated by the appropriate prescriber as the date before which it should not be dispensed.
On a private prescription, the date was signed on the 1st May but written ‘supply on 10th May’. What date can you legally supply this prescription from?
1st May.
*Note: For private prescriptions, the appropriate date will always be the date on which it was signed.
Can you supply prescriptions in the Welsh language?
Yes, provided that you can understand the prescription in the Welsh language. If not, put patient safety first and find alternatives through translation services or informal networks (e.g., LanguageLine).
Can you supply prescriptions from the Crown Dependencies (Jersey, Guernsey, Isle of Man)?
Yes, provided they meet all the prescription requirements.
*Note: For Schedule 2/3 CDs, the prescriber’s address must be within the United Kingdom. Crown Dependencies are not part of the UK.
How many times can you repeat an NHS FP10 prescription which states ‘repeat x 4’?
0; you cannot repeat dispense NHS FP10 prescriptions.
*Note: repeatable prescriptions are private prescriptions.
How many times can you DISPENSE a private prescription that states ‘repeat x2’?
3
How many times can you DISPENSE a private prescription that states ‘repeat’?
2
How many times can you REPEAT a private prescription that states ‘repeat x3’?
3
How many times can you repeat and dispense a prescription for an oral contraceptive prescription?
Repeat 5 times (dispensed 6 times).
Is there a time limit for dispensing the remaining repeats after the first dispense has been done?
*Note: the first dispensing has to be within 6 months for POM and CD-5 (28 days for Schedule 4 CDs) from the appropriate date, but the remaining repeats have no legal time limit.
CD-2 and 3 can’t be repeated!!!
Prison prescriptions are still considered NHS prescriptions. True or False?
True.
*Note: They use a different form generated by the clinical IT system (FP10s used only to access urgent medicines such as during out of hours).
How long is the validity of owings for P and GSL medications?
6 months.
How long is the validity of owings for POMs and Schedule 5 CDs?
6 months.
How long is the validity of owings for Schedule 2, 3 and 4 CDs?
28 days.
How long do you have to keep private prescriptions for a POM?
2 years.
*Note: from the date of sale or supply or for repeatable prescriptions, from the date of last sale or supply.
How long should you keep a record in the POM register?
2 years.
What should you record in the POM register?
- Supply date
- Prescription date
- Medicine details (name, quantity, formulation, strength)
- Prescriber’s name and address
- Patient’s name and address
You need to record oral contraceptives into the POM register. True or False?
False, prescriptions for oral contraceptives are exempt from record keeping.
Dentists can legally write prescriptions from any POM. True or False?
True.
*Note: However, when prescribing on an NHS dental prescription, dentists are restricted to the medicines listed in the Dental Prescriber’s Formulary.
Is a faxed prescription legally valid?
No, because it is not written in indelible ink and has not been signed in ink by an appropriate prescriber.
Can you supply against a faxed prescription?
Use your informed decision and take steps to safeguard patient safety and where possible, mitigate the risks. Consider making a record of the decision-making process and reasons leading to a particular course of action.
*Note: supplying Schedule 2/3 CDs without a lawful prescription could be prosecuted as a criminal offense.
What are the legal requirements for prescriptions from EEA and Swiss healthcare professionals?
- Patient’s full first name, surname and date of birth
- Prescriber’s full first name, surname, professional qualifications, direct contact details, work address
- Name of medicine, form, quantity, strength and dosage details
- Prescriber signature
- Date of issue
Prescriptions from EEA and Swiss healthcare professionals have to be written in English language if you were to supply. True or False?
False.
*Note: prescriptions in a foreign language is still legally acceptable but you will need to have enough information to enable the safe supply of medicines considering patient care and wellbeing.
You can confirm the registration status of the prescribers through the GMC, GDC, or European Commission website
You cannot supply if you are unable to confirm the registration status of the prescriber. True or False?
False.
*Note: you may still supply in the interests of patient care provided that you record details of any interventions and steps taken (use professional judgement).
Items not under the marketing authorisation valid in the UK are not permitted. True or False?
True.
*Note: Consider referral to an appropriate UK-registered prescriber if such items are required.
Can you supply Schedule 1, 2 and 3 CDs (including phenobarbital) or unlicensed products in an emergency to a patient of an approved EEA/Swiss health professional?
Nope!
On what forms are military prescriptions written on?
FMed 296.
Where would the invoice of military prescriptions be sent to if the pharmacy has a contract with the Ministry of Defence (MOD)?
To the MOD directly.
Can FMed 296 (military) prescriptions be presented and supplied in non-contracted pharmacies?
Yes, treat as a private prescription and charge the patient the appropriate fee.
On what forms do you prescribe Schedule 2 and 3 CDs?
Pink FP10PCD forms
Can you legally dispense Schedule 2 and 3 CDs on FMed 296 (military) prescriptions?
No, they should be on the usual pink FP10PCD form.
What are the legal requirements for labelling of dispensed medicinal products?
- Name of patient
- Name and address of supplying pharmacy
- Date of dispensing
- Name of the medicine
- Directions for use
- Precautions relating to the use of medicines
What are the legal requirements for labelling of dispensed medicinal products broken down from bulk containers?
Usual labelling requirements plus
- Name of medicine
- Quantity of the medicine in the container
- Quantitative particulars of the medicine
- Handling and storage requirements where appropriate
- Expiry date
- Batch number
Anyone can administer adrenaline for anaphylaxis in emergency situations. True or False?
True!
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 after the prescriber has assess that patient on an individual basis.
Can the directions for the purpose of administration be through verbal or telephone call (i.e., not written)?
Yes.
*Note: double-check with your own local hospital formulated policies as well.
In which situation(s) can you sell and supply without a prescription?
- Patient Group Directions (PGD)
- Patient-Specific Directions (PSD)
- Emergency Supply
- Optometrist/Podiatrist Signed Patient Orders
- Supply of salbutamol inhalers to schools
- Supply of adrenaline autoinjectors to schools
- Supply of naloxone by individuals providing recognised drug treatment services
What is a Patient Group Direction (PGD)?
Written direction that allows the supply and/or administration of a specified medicine(s), by a named authorised health professional, to a well-defined group of patients requiring treatment for a specific condition.
Can you supply, offer to supply or administer morphine and diamorphine under a PGD?
Yes, for the immediate, necessary treatment of sick or injured persons.
What requirements must be satisfied for an emergency supply at the request of the prescriber?
- Relevant prescriber
- Emergency
- Prescription within 72 hours
- Directions
Can you supply Schedule 1, 2 and 3 CDs (excluding phenobarbital) or unlicensed products in an emergency to a patient of an approved UK health professional?
No
Can you supply Phenobarbital (Schedule 3) under an emergency supply in the request of the prescriber?
Yes, in an emergency for the treatment of epilepsy for 5 days.
Should emergency supplies be kept in the POM register?
Yes, if it’s a POM
What requirements must be satisfied for an emergency supply at the request of the patient?
- Interview the patient
- Immediate need satisfied
- Previously prescribed
- Dose
What is the maximum length of emergency supply for a Phenobarbital/Schedule 4/5 CDs?
5 days
What is the maximum length of emergency supply for any other POM? Are there any other products with exceptions to this length of supply?
No more than 30 days except insulin, creams, ointment, inhaler for asthma (smallest pack available to be supplied), and for antibiotics or an oral contraceptive, the full treatment cycle should be supplied.
For emergency supplies in the request of the patient, what should be recorded in the POM register?
- Date of supply
- Name and quantity of medicine
- Patient’s name and address
- Nature of emergency
For emergency supplies in the request of the prescriber, what should be recorded in the POM register?
- Date of supply
- Name and quantity of medicine
- Prescriber’s name and address
- Patient’s name and address
- Date on the prescription (when received)
- Date on which the prescription is received
A school has requested a supply of adrenaline auto-injectors via a signed order. Can you make this supply?
Yep
A school has requested a supply of salbutamol inhalers via a signed order. Can you make this supply?
Yep
If a school requests a supply via a signed order for adrenaline auto-injectors/salbutamol inhalers, what are the requirements in the signed order?
- Name of school
- Product details (including spacer if relevant)
- Strength (if relevant)
- Purpose of product
- Total quantity
- Signature of the principal or head teacher
How many adrenaline auto-injectors/salbutamol inhalers can a school order via a signed order?
Not specified.
*Note: provided it is for small quantities on an occasional basis and not for profit. Use professional judgement by considering school size, number of students known to be affected, etc.
How long do signed orders need to be retained for?
2 years
Anyone can administer naloxone during an emergency. True or False?
True
Which medications are under the pregnancy prevention programmes (PPP) scheme?
- Oral retinoids
- Valproate
- Thalidomide
- Lenalidomide
- Pomalidomide
How long is the prescription under the PPP valid for?
7 days
What is the maximum length of supply for patients who are under the PPP?
30 days
Biosimilars are generic medicines. True or False?
False
Biologics should be prescribed by brand name. True or False?
True
What is a biologic?
Medicine made from a variety of natural resources (e.g., vaccines, DNA, therapeutic proteins, etc.).
What is a biosimilar?
A biologic medicine that is similar to an already licensed biologic medicine in terms of quality, safety and efficacy.
What kind of license would you need to prescribe Schedule 1 CDs?
Home Office Licence