POMs 4 - PGD

Question 1

What’s a PGD? (1)

Answer 1

A written instruction for the sale, supply +/or administration of named medicines in an identified clinical situation. It applies to patients groups who may not individually identified before presenting for treatment.

Question 2

Give e.g. of qualified professionals can supply or administer under a PGD. (3)

Answer 2

Nurse
Midwives
Health visitors
Pharmacists
Pharmacy Technicians etc.

Only named individuals each PGD must list the profession(s) that may use it.

May be written by a MDT including doctor, pharmacist and representative of any professional group expected to use the PGD.

Question 3

What details should a PGD contain? (13)

Answer 3

Organisation name
PGD and expiry dates
Medicine details
Class of professionals who may supply/administer.
Doctor/dentist + pharmacist signature.
Appropriate health organisation signature.
Clinical condition to which PGD applies.
Details of patients who are excluded.
When further advice/referral is sought.
Treatment dose, route, frequency, duration.
Warnings including s/e
Details of follow up actions
Details of records to be kept.

Question 4

What medicines can be included on a PGD? (11)

Answer 4

All POM, P, GSL
Certain CD:
- Sch. 2: Diamorphine, morphine and ketamine only.
- Sch. 3: Midazolam
- Any Sch. 4 pt. 1
- Any Sch. 5

Unlicensed (off-label) use.

Can’t include unlicensed medicines.

Question 5

What conditions are suitable for PGDs? (6)

Answer 5

Single treatment episodes:
- Nitrofurantoin for UTI
- EHC
- Topical antimicrobials for impetigo, conjunctivitis etc.
- Acute analgesics
- Immunisation programmes.
- Antiviral medicines for influenza/COVID

Question 6

What conditions aren’t suitable for PGDs? (6)

Answer 6

Long term conditions e.g. diabetes, HPT, epilepsy, angina, HF.

Medicines that require complex or frequent monitoring e.g. warfarin, insulin.