P medicines

Question 1

Define P medicines

Answer 1

Medicinal products classified as P medicines by the MA

Question 2

List the 2 conditions that apply to the retail sale of P medicines.

Answer 2

• The premises is a registered pharmacy
• Sold by a pharmacist/ staff acting under the supervision of a pharmacist

Question 3

Define supervision

Answer 3

pharmacist must be aware of the sale and be in a position to intervene if necessary

Question 4

Give 3 examples of SCD 15 medicines and state when these are suitable to be sold.

Answer 4

Aspirin, paracetamol, ibuprofen - for acute conditions in limited pack size.

Question 5

Describe good practice when displaying P medicines in a pharmacy.

Answer 5

Self selection is not recommended - can either use empty boxes for display or locate the medicines behind the counter.

Question 6

Describe the restrictions for sale of the decongestants ephedrine and pseudoephedrine

Answer 6

• Legal MAX quantity: 720mg pseudoephedrine, 180mg ephedrine.
• Illegal to sell both products to one person at the same time due to potential misuse
• If suspicious of misuse, don’t supply

Question 7

Describe the restrictions for sale of codeine and dihydrocodeine product.

Answer 7

• Analgesics for acute treatment
• Risk of overuse/addiction
• MAX pack size = 32 for all formulations, good practice to sell 1 pack per transaction

Question 8

List the descriptions/warnings that must be included on the packaging of codeine/dihyrocodeine

Answer 8

• ‘Can cause addiction. For 3 days use only’
• ‘Can cause addiction or overuse headache if used for more than 3 days’
• PIL contains warnings signs of addiction