Pharmacy services at a distance Flashcards
1
Q
Traditional pharmacy service
A
- All parts of the service are provided at the registered pharmacy
- Traditional activities can be carried out at different registered pharmacies or places (also known as distance selling pharmacy)
2
Q
Examples of traditional activities carried out at different registered pharmacies/places
A
- Rx collected by pharmacy staff, received by post or electronically (EPS).
- Delivery service to pt. home/care home.
- Collection and delivery service (defined in HMR 2012).
- ‘Click and collect’ service (customer orders goods from a store’s website and collects from a local branch).
- Mail order service from a registered pharmacy
- Internet pharmacy service, including online prescribing services.
- ‘Hub and spoke’ service.
3
Q
Internet
A
- POMs can be purchased illegally online without a prescription.
- No checks/controls on quality and effectiveness.
- No legal recourse in the event of harm, especially if supplier is outside the UK.
- Introduces a culture of self-diagnosis and self-treatment.
- Unregulated supply of medicines (e.g. antibiotics, opioids, sedatives).
4
Q
Internet pharmacy - requirements
A
- Suitable premises
- To dispense NHS prescriptions:
Included in the local pharmaceutical list
NHS dispensing contract
5
Q
NHS dispensing contract
A
- Submit an application that shows that the pharmacy premises secure the uninterrupted provision of essential services during the opening hours of the premises to persons anywhere in England who request them.
- £750
- Once approved by GPhC, you have 6 months to open.
6
Q
Internet pharmacy services
A
- Clinical governance
- Dispensing medicines
- Dispensing appliances
- Disposal of unwanted medicines
- Public health
- Repeat dispensing
- Signposting
- Support for self-care
7
Q
Internet pharmacy - key points
A
- Rx cannot be handed in by pt.
- No face-to-face contact
- Can provide non-essential services e.g. MURs, NMS.
- Must be willing to supply medicines against a prescription to anyone in England.
- Cannot charge for delivery of prescriptions.
- RP must be present, even for handover to the delivery driver.
8
Q
Internet pharmacy - PROS
A
- Pharmacists can own their own pharmacy without having to buy an existing business.
- Pharmacies can be built in areas where community pharmacies are not traditionally located
- Ease, convenience, increased choice, anonymity and general cheaper costs for patients.
9
Q
Risk assessment
A
- Identify and manage risks.
- Cover whole pharmacy processes, including staff:
- Consider the process for informing patients/public about services and gaining consent.
- Communication between different locations.
- Supplying medicines
- Record keeping.
10
Q
Operating alongside prescribing services
A
- Internet pharmacies can operate alongside private online prescribing services.
- These services can be based in GB or outside the UK.
- Outside UK = not registered with GMC.
11
Q
Operating alongside prescribing services outside GB.
A
- Extra risks must be managed.
- Indeminity insurance
- Prescriber must be registered in their home country, and can lawfully issue prescitpions online to people in the UK.
- Prescriber must be working within the prescribing guidelines for UK.
12
Q
Audits
A
- Regular audits are evidence showing that your pharmacy continues to provide safe pharmacy services.
Consider: - Staff levels and training
- Suitability of communication methods with patients or between staff/other HCPs.
- Systems and processes for secure delivery to patients.
13
Q
When should audits be carried out?
A
- Change in law
- Significant changes to the service you provide
- Data security breach
14
Q
Accountability
A
- Clear instructions of who is responsible for what
- Includes all pharmacy staff e.g. pharmacist, pharmacy technicians AND any third-party contractors used).
15
Q
Record keeping
A
- When there is no face-to-face contact, you should consider what information you and your staff record and keep to show that the pharmacy service you provide is safe.
- All standard legal records apply, as well as some additional records to consider.
