Prescription-only medicines

Question 1

information needed for a prescription to be legal?

Answer 1

1) signature of prescriber
2) address of prescriber
3) date - valid up to 6 months
4) particular of prescriber
5) name of patient
6) address of patient
7) age of patient IF under 12

Question 2

how many times can a Rx be repeated?

Answer 2

• number of repeats stated
• if not stated, can only be repeated once unless an oral contraceptive which can be 5x

Question 3

can CDs be repeatable?

Answer 3

only schedule 4 and 5 CDs are repeatable

Question 4

time limit for first dispensing of repeat? (POM and sch 5)

Answer 4

within 6 months of appropriate date
following repeats no legal time limit

Question 5

time frame of owings for POM, P, GSL and CDs schedule 5?

Answer 5

6 months from date

Question 6

where can a repeat be retained?

Answer 6

at pharmacy or by patient
note name and address where supply was made

Question 7

time frame for owings for schedule 2, 3 and 4 CDS?

Answer 7

28 days after date

Question 8

how long should private prescriptions record keeping be kept for?

Answer 8

retained for 2 years
for repeats - from date of last supply

Question 9

where do you submit prescriptions for schedule 2 and 3 CDs?

Answer 9

relevant NHS agency

Question 10

where are records made and what must they include?

Answer 10

POM register
1) supply date
2) prescription date
3) medicine details (name quantity formulation strength)
4) prescriber details
5) patient details

Question 11

what prescriptions are exempt from record keeping?

Answer 11

oral contraceptives and schedule 2 CDs where an appropriate CD register is made

Question 12

are details of the medicine a legal requirement on a prescription?

Answer 12

no but are important to identify product needed and for pricing

Question 13

restrictions to dental prescriptions?

Answer 13

can legally prescribe any POM
restrict to areas of competency
for NHS dental prescriptions - medicines listed in dental prescribers formulary

Question 14

prescriptions from EEA or Switzerland?

Answer 14

issued by an approved HCP in an approved country - emergency supplies also permitted

Question 15

is it legal if in a foreign language?

Answer 15

yes, but need enough info for safe supply

Question 16

medicines not available for EEA and Switzerland Rxs?

Answer 16

schedule 1,2 and 3 CDs and products without authorisation valid in UK.

Question 17

legal requirements for labelling?

Answer 17

1) name of patient
2) name and address of supplying pharmacy
3) date of dispensing
4) name of medicine
5) directions for use
6) precautions for use

Question 18

RPS recommendations for labels?

Answer 18

‘keep out of reach and sight of children’
‘use only on skin’ - where applicable

Question 19

labelling the outer carton?

Answer 19

lawful but could be discarded so actual container (inhaler, tube of cream etc) should be labelled

Question 20

labelling requirements for broken down supply?

Answer 20

quantity
particulars/ingredients
handling and storage
expiry date
batch reference number

Question 21

conditions of administration?

Answer 21

• Professionals who administer are accountable for actions
• Must have understanding of medicine or seek advice if necessary
• Prescribing, supply and administration by separate people where possible

Question 22

what is Pregnancy prevention programme?

Answer 22

• Certain medicines with high risk of foetal malformations or risk of spontaneous abortion
• Ensure not dispensed for people who might be or are considering being pregnant
  -PPV- protect by minimising risk of pregnancy
• Different PPV for oral retinoids, valproate

Question 23

what are biosimilars?

Answer 23

Biologic medicines (from natural sources) similar to already licensed biological medicine

Question 24

how are biosimilars precribed?

Answer 24

have own unique brand name
MHRA recommends prescribed by brand to avoid automatic subsitution

Question 25

what are advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs)?

Answer 25

biological medicinal product based on genes, tissues or cells
- gene therapy medicinal product
- somatic cell therapy medicinal product
- tissue engineered
- most in clinical trial phases, some are licensed

Question 26

what to do if prescribed and dispensing has to be performed by same person?

Answer 26

ensure processes are in place to limit errors, maintain audit and document reason for.

Question 27

can you supply prescriptions for yourself or close realtions?

Answer 27

not illegal but considered poor practice
GPhC advises not to unless exceptional circumstances

Question 28

should you self-check prescriptions?

Answer 28

ideally two people involved to reduce errors
not normal practice and undertaken as last resort

Question 29

what is the time frame for collecting and owning?

Answer 29

POM, CD sch 5, P and GSL = 6 months
CD sch 2,3 and 4 = 28 days