pharmacy storage and monitoring systems

Question 1

cascade system

Answer 1

a risk based decision- tree to help veterinary surgeons decide which product to use when there is no authorised vet medicine available without this tree vets would only be able to prescribe medicines that are authorised for a given species and for a given condition

Question 2

what are the reasons we implement an effective stock control system ?

Question 3

receiving stock

Answer 3

when a delivery arrives, it should be dealt with immediately and checked thoroughly prior to being stored

checks that should be made include

damage
expiry dates
presence of all items
price
items that require special storage
invoices should be kept for 2 years for schedule 5 drugs and other consumables

Question 4

Storage of stock

Answer 4

most stock needs to be placed in clean, dry and away from direct sunlight

some items will require refrigeration

others have tighter restrictions

stock rotation is vital for saving money

Question 5

Stock control

Answer 5

there will be times in the year when stock levels will fluctuate. minimum stock levels will need to reflect the possible demand.

Question 6

managing stock

Answer 6

also consider waste

multidose injectables have a shelf life of 28 days

therefore if it is not a product used often, you likely don’t want large quantities in stock as this could be wasted

Question 7

Controlled drugs

Answer 7

the misuse of drugs act 1971 sets requirements for controlled drugs to be classified into five schedules according to the required level of control upon them.

a vet surgeon has authority to supply schedule 2,3,4 and 5 drugs

Question 8

Storage requirements

Answer 8

schedule 2

morphine, pethidine, fentanyl, ketamine

stored in a locked cabinet secured to the building

receipt and supply stored in a register

Question 9

schedule 3

Answer 9

buprenorphine, pentobarbital, phenobarbital, benzphetamine

does not have to be recorded in the controlled drug register but advised to be locked away

Question 10

schedule 4

Answer 10

benzodiazepines, anabolic and androgenic steroids

not necessary to be locked however ketamine is a substance of abuse so the RCVS recommends that it has an informal register and is locked away

Question 11

Schedule 5

Answer 11

codeine, morphine

exempt from full control when in products in low strength, invoices should be kept for 5 years

Question 12

pet food and refreshments

Answer 12

• prevent infestations; secure in cupboards where possible
• re- seat opened bags using manufacturer method or bag ties/seals

store opened wet food in the refrigerator

avoid extreme heat

ensure personal hygiene is adhered too

any sale items should be clearly labelled with the cost.

Question 13

NFA - GSL general sale items

Answer 13

stock rotation

clear labelling and pricing

maintain condition of stock and cleanliness of storage areas

ensure items are easy reach ; small items at the top and larger at the bottom

POM-V and POM-VPs products should not be advertised to the general public

Question 14

Ordering stock

Answer 14

Over the phone
Fax
Computer/digitally/remotely
paper requisitions

Question 15

Auditing stock

Answer 15

Annual stock checks are a regular occurrence in vet practice

For POM - V and POM - VPS prodcuts, they should take place every year

you are checking for the amount of each product, to include tablets. ml’s of injectables or oral medicines and even cans of food in stock

this is to make sure this marries up with stock levels that are calculated on the computer

Question 16

care and maintenance of equipment

Answer 16

All electrical equipment is subject to PAT testing annually.

Visual inspection of equipment should be completed prior to use

items in the surgery are subject to annual manufacturer inspection.

Employees should not be ‘tamper’ or attempt to repair equipment

Question 17

Fridge temperatures

Answer 17

it is really important that fridge temps are monitored daily

this is to avoid an fluctuations in temp and ensure medicines are stored at the correct temp as to not deactivate the active ingredients

vaccines for example should be stored at 2- 8*c

Temps should be checked, recorded and adjusted if needed.

Question 18

automated dispensing systems

Answer 18

advantages

disadvantages