unit 1 - Sale & Supply lesson 3&4 Flashcards
Why is a faxed prescription not legal?
It is not written in indelible ink and has NOT been signed by an appropriate practitioner
What are the risks associated with supplying medicines against a faxed prescription?
Misinterpretation
Fraud
Deception
Duplicate dispensing
Why is supplying medicines against a faxed prescription risky?
Uncertainty that legally valid prescription exists
Risks of poor reproduction leading to errors
Risks of non-receipt of the original prescription
Risks that the original prescription is subsequently amended by the prescriber
Risks the fax is sent to multiple pharmacies
Risks that the prescription is not genuine
Risks that the fax system is not secure
How can the integrity of the original prescription be checked?
Telephone surgery before dispensing the prescription to confirm the details
Make arrangements to get original prescription ASAP (ideally collect original from surgery at next visit)
What are the penalties of supplying Schedule 2 or 3 Controlled Drugs without possession of a lawful prescription?
Could be prosecuted as a criminal offence
What does the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 allow for?
The lawful possession and supply of controlled (illegal) drug for legitimate purposes. They cover prescribing, administering, safe custody, dispensing, record keeping, destruction and disposal of controlled drugs to prevent diversion for misuse
What are Controlled Drugs used for?
Pain relief Palliative care Epilepsy treatment Alcohol and drug withdrawl Methadone substitution etc
Which schedule of Controlled Drugs is under the strictest control?
Schedule 1
Where must records of the supply of Schedule 2 Controlled Drugs be kept?
Controlled Drugs register
Which drugs are subject to Safe Custody Requirements?
All Schedule 2 Drugs (except quinalbarbitone)
Some Schedule 3 Drugs (temazepam, diethylpropion, buprenorphine, flunitrazepam)
How long is a Schedule 1, 2, 3 or 4 Controlled Drug prescription valid for?
28 days
How long is a Schedule 5 Controlled Drug prescription valid for?
6 months (pholcodine, codeine)
What is a Veterinary Medicinal Product?
Any substance presented as having properties for treating or preventing disease in animals, or that may be used with a view to either restoring, correcting or modifying physiological functions by exerting a pharmacological, immunological or metabolic action or to making a medical diagnosis
What are the classes of Veterinary Medicine?
POM-V
POM-VPS
NFA-VPS
AVM-GSL
What is a POM-V?
Prescription only medicine that can only be prescribed by a veterinary surgeon and supplied by a veterinary surgeon or a pharmacist with a written prescription
What is a POM-VPS?
Prescription only medicine that can be prescribed and supplied by a veterinary surgeon, a pharmacist or suitably qualified person on an oral or written prescription
A written prescription is only required if the supplier is not the prescriber
What is a NFA-VPS?
A category of medicine for non-food animals that can be supplied by a veterinary surgeon, a pharmacist or a suitably qualified person
A written prescription is not required
What is an AVM-GSL?
An authorised veterinary medicine that is available on general sale
When can a POM-V medicine be supplied?
A Veterinary Medicinal Product (VMP) that has been classified as a POM-V may only be supplied if it has been prescribed by a veterinary surgeon following a clinical assessment of an animal, or group of animals, under the veterinary surgeon’s care
When can a POM-VPS medicine be supplied?
A veterinary medicine classified as POM-VPS may be prescribed by any Registered Qualified Person (RQP - a veterinarian, a pharmacist or other Suitably Qualified Person under DEFRA guidelines). A clinical assessment of the animal(s) is not required when prescribing this category of veterinary medicine and the animal does not have to be seen by the prescriber
What are the requirements for the prescribing, or making a supply of a NFA-VPS?
Advise of the safe administration of the product
Advise of any warnings or contraindications on the label package/leaflet
Be satisfied that the person administering it is competent and intends to use it for authorised use
Not prescribe or supply more than the minimum amount needed for treatment
Who can supply a NFA-VPS?
A veterinary medicine classified as NFA-VPS may be supplied by an RQP (a veterinarian, a pharmacist or an appropriately qualified SQP) provided the requirements for supply are met
Who can supply an AVM-GSL?
There are no legal restrictions in the VMR for the retail supply of veterinary medicines classified as AVM-GSL (over the counter medicine) but a responsible approach to the supply of these medicines is still expected
When should a veterinary medicine with a UK MA be prescribed or supplied?
Where one exists and is clinically appropriate
What allows for the supply of human medicines that are not otherwise licensed for use in animals?
The Cascade Exemption within the Veterinary Medicines Regulations
It is unlawful to supply a human medicine against a Veterinary prescription unless it is prescribed by a vet and specifically states “for administration under the Cascade” (or words to this effect)
What are the three types of collection and/or delivery service?
Standard Prescription Collection Service
Managed Prescription Collection Service
Delivery Service
What are collection and delivery services governed by?
GPhC standards
What is the Standard Prescription Collection Service?
An arrangement whereby a Pharmacy receives a prescription other than directly from the patient or their representative (e.g. collected by pharmacy staff or driver)
How is the Standard Prescription Collection Service managed?
The Pharmacy MUST:
obtain consent to receive the patient’s prescriptions
explain to patients/careers what the service involves including when to collect the medication
prescriptions must be collected by individuals acting in accordance with the Pharmacist’s directions
have procedures in place to safeguard confidentiality and security
How is the Standard Prescription Collection Service organised?
Any request for an ONGOING service must come directly from the patient or career, ideally in writing
On receipt of any prescriptions, the Pharmacist must ensure that they are authorised to receive and dispense them
Any prescription received without consent should be returned to the pharmacy
What is the difference between the Standard and Managed Prescription Collection Service?
The patient doesn’t prompt the Pharmacy to order their repeat prescription with the Managed Prescription Collection Service
How does a Managed Prescription Collection Service work?
The Pharmacy will prompt the patient in order to establish what medications are needed and will inform the patient when the medication will be ready to collect
Why was a Managed Prescription Collection Service set up?
Began in order to manage increasing workloads - allows the Pharmacy 7 days to order and dispense the prescription
Reduces wastage, increases compliance and secures the patient’s repeat custom
What is the Prescription Delivery Service?
A service whereby medicines are handed to the patient/career someplace other than in the registered Pharmacy e.g. their home or place of work
How is the Prescription Delivery Service managed?
Pharmacist still has a professional responsibility to ensure that the patient knows how to use the medication safely and is not experiencing side effects or compliance issues. This is especially important for medications such as Warfarin that require careful and frequent monitoring of blood levels
Why must appropriate records be kept for the Prescription Delivery Service?
Audit purposes
What are the responsibilities of the Pharmacist with the Prescription Delivery Service?
Must ensure that the delivery mechanisms:
are safe
ensure prompt delivery with instructions for use
medicines are handed to the patient/carer unless alternative arrangements have been made
confirm the correct name and address of recipient
cater for special storage requirements (e.g. refrigerated lines)
have a clear audit trail and safeguards confidentiality
obtain a signature to verify safe delivery (good practice)
