P medicines Flashcards
What do schedule 15 products contain?
Aspirin, Ibuprofen or Paracetamol.
For paracetamol 500mg tablets (non-soluble), which legal class would a pack of 16 tablets be in?
GSL
For paracetamol 500mg tablets (non-soluble), which legal class would a pack of 32 tablets be in?
P medicine.
Legally, how many paracetamol 500mg tablets (non-soluble) can you purchase over the counter at a pharmacy?
<100 tablets.
- 3 packs of 32 tablets -> 96 tablets
Packs of 100 paracetamol 500mg tablets are classified as what?
POM
When might some POM medicines be classified as P medicines?
- Smaller pack sizes
- Low strengths
- Certain forms
- For certain indications
What are the 2 conditions that need to be followed to be able to sell a P medicine?
- The premises is a registered pharmacy
- They are a pharmacist, or if they are not, they are acting under the supervision of a pharmacist.
True or False: The sale of a P medicine must be done by the pharmacist or a member of staff.
False. The sale of a P medicine must be done by the pharmacist, or by a member of staff under the supervision of a pharmacist.
What is the legal definition of supervision?
The pharmacist must be aware of the sale and be in a position to intervene where necessary.
Why must a pharmacist be careful when a patient requests for a high quantity of medication?
May indicate abuse, misuse or inappropriate self-medication.
What should you do if a patient requests for a high quantity of medication?
- Sell a smaller quantity
- Refuse the sale (with an appropriate explanation)
Where is it good practice to store P medicines?
Usually behind the counter where patients aren’t easily able to get them off the shelves.
What are the legal reasons why P medicines usually located behind the pharmacy counter?
- Remind staff of the legal classification of these medicines
- Helps prevent unauthorized sales where the pharmacist is unable to supervise, as patients cannot pick up these medicines
Give 2 other examples of where P medicines may be stored.
- They may place empty boxes on shelves for patients to read information and exchange it for an actual box at the counter.
- Placing them behind a locked glass door, where the patient may ask someone if they can purchase it.
- the pharmacist will still need to ask appropriate questions to determine whether the treatment is suitable or not.
Is it a legal requirement or good practice for patients to not be able to pick up a P medicine from the shelf?
Good practice.
What can ephedrine/pseudoephedrine be used for?
As decongestants.
Why are there legal restrictions on the sale of ephedrine/pseudoephedrine and what are they?
Due to their potential for misuse - the manufacture of crystal meth
There is only a certain quantity of both medications which can be sold. They cannot be sold together.
Codeine/Dihydrocodeine as P medicines are used as what?
Analgesics.
What are codeine/dihydrocodeine as P medicines used to treat?
Acute, moderate pain what is not relieved by aspirin, paracetamol or ibuprofen.
- no longer recommended for minor pain (cold, flu)
What is the maximum pack size for Codeine/Dihydrocodeine?
32 dose units.
How long are OTC codeine/dihydrocodeine allowed to be used for?
For a maximum of 3 days as it can lead to addiction.
How many packs of codeine/dihydrocodeine are allowed to be sold in one transaction? Is it a legal requirement or good practice?
One pack.
Good practice.
How can stimulant laxatives be abused/misused?
Patients may take them for weight loss.
Help in bowel movement which can reduce natural movement. Overuse can then lead to constipation due to lack of movement so will require stimulants.
What are examples of stimulant laxatives?
- Senna/Sennosides
- Bisacodyl
- Sodium picosulphate
