Emergency Supply of Prescription Medications Quiz

A situation where a pharmacist can provide prescription-only medication (POMs) to a patient without a written prescription.

Pharmacists can provide POMs in an emergency situation by following specific legal guidelines.

The Human Medicines Regulations (HMR) 2012 outlines the legal basis for emergency supply.

A service offered by pharmacists where they provide advice and supply medications on behalf of a prescriber.

A prescriber, such as a doctor, can request an emergency supply from a pharmacist by phone, in person, or through electronic means.

A pharmacy is allowed to dispense drugs without a prior prescription in case of an emergency as long as the treatment has been prescribed by a doctor and the dose is appropriate.

Patients from the European Economic Area or Switzerland CANNOT get controlled drugs (Schedule 1, 2 or 3) or medications without a UK Marketing Authorisation.

There are certain drugs that pharmacies cannot supply as emergency supplies even for existing patients. The list is defined in the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 (HMR 2012) Schedule 18.

During a pandemic, pharmacists can supply Schedule 2 and 3 controlled drugs as an emergency supply if the Secretary of State declares it's necessary. This declaration defines the particular circumstances and area of coverage.

In a pandemic context, pharmacists do not need to interview the patient directly when supplying an emergency supply. However, they still need to ensure the treatment has been previously prescribed and the dose is appropriate.

A prescription that is issued by a doctor for a patient who needs medication urgently, but cannot wait for a regular prescription.

A record kept by pharmacists to track all medicines dispensed. It contains information about the medication, the patient, and the prescriber.

When a doctor asks for a medication to be supplied to a patient in an emergency situation. The dispensing pharmacist must also keep a record of the request.

When a doctor prescribes a medication to a patient who requires it immediately, the dispensing pharmacist must document the request. This record includes details of the medicine, the patient, and the prescriber.

A prescription for a controlled drug (Schedule 4) cannot be given by an independent nurse prescriber. Instead, the patient should be advised to contact their doctor to get the medication.

It is good practice, but not a legal requirement, to mark a dispensing label with 'Emergency Supply'. The pharmacy has a responsibility to ensure the supply is appropriate by assessing the situation and considering potential risks to the patient.

It is a good practice to include the dosage of medication in your documentation, though it is not legally required.

If a pharmacist is unsure about the validity of a request for an emergency supply, they should question the doctor or contact the relevant authorities to verify the request. They should ask if they should contact the patient for further confirmation.

The pharmacist must record the details of the emergency supply in a specific register. This includes the date of supply, the drug details, the patient's information, the prescriber's details, and the reason for the emergency.

The pharmacist can supply a POM for a short period in an emergency, allowing time for the formal prescription to be obtained.

The pharmacist can supply a POM in an emergency only with the express request of the patient or the prescriber. The patient can request it directly, or the prescriber can make the request on their behalf. In either case, the pharmacy needs to record the request for the purpose of accountability.

A label indicating that the medication is an emergency supply, including specific details like the date of supply, patient's name, and the words "EMERGENCY SUPPLY".

The legal framework governing the provision of emergency supplies, outlining the conditions and requirements for pharmacists.

Assessing if a patient's request for an emergency supply meets the legal criteria and if it is in the patient's best interest.

Asking specific questions to determine if the patient's situation justifies an emergency supply, ensuring accuracy and appropriate action.

A situation where a healthcare professional can provide a patient with an emergency supply of medication without a valid prescription because of a genuine urgent need.

A situation where a patient needs a regular medication but has forgotten to collect their prescription, suggesting a possible emergency supply scenario.

A situation where a patient needs medication but cannot obtain it because their usual source of supply, such as a clinic, is closed, potentially justifying an emergency supply.

The pharmacist must directly interview the patient themselves to confirm their identity and the validity of the emergency supply request, unless in a pandemic situation.

The medication requested for emergency supply must have been previously prescribed by a qualified medical professional.

For schedule 3 controlled drugs (like phenobarbital), the pharmacist can only supply a maximum of 5 days' worth of medication in an emergency situation.

Community Pharmacist Consultation Service (CPCS) refers minor ailments and emergency medication requests from NHS 111 to a nearby pharmacy

Patients with minor ailments or emergency medication needs can contact NHS 111. NHS 111 will then refer the patient to a pharmacy.

The pharmacist can only supply the medication if it is deemed safe and appropriate for the patient. Incorrect dose, contraindications, or potential interactions are important considerations.