The Business of Community Pharmacy Flashcards
1
Q
Pharmacy Tech Business Responsabilities
A
- Nonprescription Sales
- OTC drugs
- Dietary Supplements
- Medical Supplies
- Automation in the Pharmacy
- Computers
- Cash Register Management
Others that will be taught later
2
Q
Nonprescription Sales
A
- Front area of the pharmacy
- OTC drugs
- dietary supplements
- medical supplies
- other merchandise
3
Q
OTC drugs
A
- approved for sale without a prescription
- approved and regulated by the FDA only after the drug and dosage are generally recognized as safe and effective for the approved indication when taken according to labeled directions
- although these medications may be purchased without a prescription, the active ingredients are often the sam as those found in higher-strength prescription formulations
- also some refridgerated meds such as fast-acting regular insulins can be sold to a patient with or without a prescription
- sometimes (pediatric) prescriptions are received for OTC drugs. Generally OTC meds are not covered by insurance but for some pediatric cases they are. However if the OTC med is on sale, the pharmacy should direct the patient there vs. the more expensive prescription.
4
Q
OTC Benefits
A
- does not require the cost or inconvenience of a physician visit
- available for self administration immediately
- available for use in treatment of symptoms when insurance is lacking or does not cover
- huge importance is placed on product labeling to ensure the buyer is fully aware of indication and proper safe use
5
Q
OTC Labeling
A
- manufacturers must include all information necessary for the safe and effective use of theproducts by customers
- language must be understandable and readable
- information includes:
- active ingredient
- inactive ingredients
- purpose or use of product
- dosage & frequency of administration for different age groups
- any precautions/warnings
- special storage requirements
- product’s expiration date
- 1-800 number for any questions or concerns
6
Q
OTC Consumer Precautions
A
- products are to be used for restricted periods unless otherwise instructed by a dr
- usually 7 days or less
- if pharmacist cannot identify the source of the problem or the pt has self-medicated for longer than 7 days, the pt should be referred to a dr
- no drug is completely safe, without side effects or adverse reactions
- OTC use of cough and cold medications for children under the age of 6 is strongly discouraged bc of risk of adverse reactions being greater than benefit of the medication
- dextromethorphan (DM) containing products can cause hearing and visual hallucinations in high doses and have history of abuse among adolesents = consumers must be 18yoa to purchase, must provide ID at time of purchase
7
Q
Role of Pharmacist in sale of OTC medications
A
- If customer seeks counsel with choosing OTC medication (ex. sugar free medication for diabetics) the pharmacist will step away from prescription filling duties to assess the problem and make appropriate drug product selections and also to counsel the patient
- Only pharmacists can address questions about drug product selection, indications, dosage and administration, expected therapeutic effect, side effects, contraindications, and interactions
8
Q
Role of Pharm Tech in sale of OTC meds
A
- selling
- stocking
- ordering inventory
- rearranging inventory
- removing stock when shelf life has expired or with a recalled product
- if customers approach tech with questions about the product if other than location in the pharmacy or price questions about the actions/indications etc. of the drug must be referred to the pharmacist
9
Q
Sale of Schedule V OTC drugs
A
- Schedule V is medication with a low potential for abuse and a limited potential for creating physical or psychological dependence
- Federal law allows the dispensing of Schedule V meds without a script, however ther are restrictions and requirements for the sale
- drugs must be stored behind the counter in the prescription area
- amt of cough syrups sold to a single customer is generally limited to a specific volume withing a 48 hr period (generally 120mL)
- only a pharmacist or pharmacy tech under direct pharmacist supervision can make the sale
- purchaser must be 18 years old and have proof of identity
- States and pharmacies may have more stringent rules
- some states require a script from a physician
- other state boards of pharmacy have reclassified some schedule V drugs as schedule III, and so they fall under those stricter dispensing guidelines
- some pharmacies may require a script even if state law does not require one
- All sales of Schedule V OTC medications allowed without a prescription must be recorded in in the pharmacy
- name and address of the purchaser
- DOB of purchaser
- date of purchase
- name and quantity of the Schedule V drug sold
- name and inititals of the pharmacist handling or approving the sale
10
Q
Sale of OTC Containing Pseudoephedrine and Epherine
A
- sale of these products are rescticted by federal and state laws
- including:
- cold and sinus meds
- ephedrine-containing tablets
- metered-dose inhalers (MDIs)
- restrictions on the meds are in place because the ingredients in these medications have been used as raw products in illegal manufacture of methamphetamine
- all psuedoephedrine and ephedrine containing products must be stored behind the counter
- many states limit the purchase of these products to prescription only
- several states require the sale be conducted by a pharmacist only
- limits are placed on how many units of these drugs can be legally purchased at on time at one location
- pseudoephedrine limits are 3.6 grams in one day and 9 grams in 30 days
- written or computerised documentation must be made of each sale into a logbook similar to schedule V drugs
- documentation must be kept for minimum of 2 years
- Information required prior to sale:
- valid and current photo ID (DL with number entered or scanned at point of sale)
- proof of age (18 or older)
- date and time of purchase
- product being purchased
- streed address, state and ZIP of customer
- customers signature in the logbook or electronically
11
Q
smurfing
A
- when a patient is paid cash by and individual to illegally purchase pseudophedrine from one or more pharmacies
- these drugs are not for personal use but are illegally sold to individuals whose intent is to manufacture and sell methamphetamine
- if 3 or 4 patients come into the pharmacy at one time to purchase such products - be suspicious and refuse sale
12
Q
Emergency Contraceptives
A
- Plan B
- Next Choice
- direct buyers, especially teenagers, to the list of side effects on the packaging
- patients have any questions, they must be directed to the pharmacist
- all patients purchasing Plan B should be counselied by the pharmacist on appropriate use and expected side effects
- the 2 dose drug must be taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex
- the sooner it is taken, the more effective it is
- efficacy is 75% - 90%
- some pharmacists may object to selling on religious grounds
- there are state laws governing actions for this moral and ethical dilemma
13
Q
Dietary Supplements
A
- can be a vitamin or mineral or an herbal product such as ginger, garlic, saw palmetto, glucosamine, or soy
- most customers do not realize that dietary supplements are not regulated by the FDA in the same stringent manner as OTC drugs
- primairly regulated by the DSHEA - the FDA does not approve these supplements they must be safe and accurately labeled
- dietary supplements indicates a serving size rather than a dose
- offers limited information about the product
- the amount of active ingredient in th supplement may not always match the labeled amount because of inconsistencies in quality control or product contamination
- if the label contains an indication that has not been approved by the FDA, the FDA can remove the drug from the market
- the FDA can also remove any dietary supplement that is deemed dangerous which has occured in the past with several “diet pills”
14
Q
DME
A
- durable medical equipment
- hospital beds
- wheelchairs
- canes
- walkers
- crutches
- prosthetics
- orthotics
- blood glucose meters
15
Q
Nondurable Medical Supplies
A
- consumable, disposable items that can only be used by one patient for a specific purpose
- diabetic test strips
- lancets