OSPAP MPHM15: Prescription Only Medicines

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Questions and Answers

What is the significance of the date on a private prescription?

It is the date when the practitioner signed the prescription. (correct)

It marks the last day the medication can be used.

It indicates when the drug was dispensed.

It represents the patient's birthday.

Which information is necessary to dispense a prescription?

Patient's medical history.

Name of drug and strength. (correct)

Practitioner's license number.

Pharmacy's approval number.

Who can write a private prescription?

Only pharmacists.

Any legally registered practitioner. (correct)

Only medical doctors.

Nurses and assistants only.

What is a common misconception regarding the need for a practitioner's name on a prescription?

It is not necessary for prescriptions to be legitimate. Signup and view all the answers

What must a dentist adhere to when writing an FP10(D) prescription?

The Dental Practitioners’ Formulary Signup and view all the answers

What is the maximum duration a prescription is considered valid before it must be renewed?

6 months from the date of issue. Signup and view all the answers

What differentiates repeatable prescriptions from NHS Repeat Dispensing?

Repeatable prescriptions do not have a legal limit on the number of repeats. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is true regarding the retention of prescriptions for repeatable medications?

The pharmacy must keep the prescription after the last dispensing. Signup and view all the answers

What does the abbreviation 'POM' in 'Sale and supply of medicines - POMs' stand for?

Prescription Only Medicines. Signup and view all the answers

Which element is unnecessary on an NHS prescription form?

Practitioner's name. Signup and view all the answers

What is a misconception about controlled drugs regulations?

Controlled drugs can be prescribed without any limitations. Signup and view all the answers

What should be included on a repeatable prescription for audit purposes?

The name and address of the pharmacy Signup and view all the answers

What is the responsibility of the pharmacy regarding the genuineness of a prescription?

They must be satisfied that the prescription is genuine. Signup and view all the answers

How does professional judgement factor into repeat prescriptions?

It considers clinical issues for continued prescribing. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements correctly defines private prescriptions written by approved health professionals?

Private prescriptions must originate from approved countries. Signup and view all the answers

What is not a requirement for repeat prescriptions under NHS regulations?

Must have a maximum limit on the number of repeats sponsored by the NHS Signup and view all the answers

Who is authorized to prescribe controlled drugs in the context of electronic prescriptions?

Appropriately registered practitioners Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'advanced electronic signature' NOT include?

It needs to be signed physically by the prescriber Signup and view all the answers

During the dispensing of prescriptions, what happens if a prescribed medicine is only available by brand name?

Only the branded product can be dispensed Signup and view all the answers

What is a valid role of community practitioner nurse prescribers concerning NHS prescriptions?

They can only prescribe limited medications listed in a specific formulary Signup and view all the answers

Under what circumstances are NHS electronic prescriptions sent to pharmacies?

Via the NHS spine from GP surgeries Signup and view all the answers

What must be done with undispensed tokens or tokens with errors in the context of NHS prescriptions?

They must be returned to the NHS spine for cancellation Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary requirement for a dental practitioner when prescribing medications?

They must restrict prescriptions to their areas of competence Signup and view all the answers

What happens if there is no approved generic name available for a prescribed medication?

A brand-name medication must be prescribed Signup and view all the answers

What limitations do nurse prescribers face compared to independent prescribers?

Nurse prescribers must adhere to specific formularies Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

OSPAP Programme: Sale and Supply of Medicines - Part 3: Prescription Only Medicines (POMs)

The presentation is about Prescription Only Medicines (POMs)
The date of the presentation is October 2/9th, 2024.
The presenter is John Sherwood MRPharmS.
The presentation is part of the OSPAP MPHM15 course.
Learning outcomes include defining POMs, identifying where legal classifications are found, describing lawful administration, listing legal prescription requirements, detailing POM register entries, and describing dispensing circumstances.

Learning Outcomes

Provide a definition for a POM and list three places where the legal classification may be found.
Describe how POMs can be lawfully administered and by whom.
List the legal requirements for a POM prescription.
List the details required for recording in the POM register and describe when a record is necessary.
Describe limitations regarding dentists, community nurses, and prescription types (NHS/private).
Explain issues surrounding faxed/forged prescriptions.
Describe issues related to dispensing different quantities than prescribed and conditions in which this isn't permissible.
Explain the concept of 'hub and spoke' dispensing and how the law applies to this.
Describe the legal defence for dispensing errors.
Explain serious shortage protocols and when they are used.
Outline concerns regarding online pharmacies.
Describe the use of PCUs and their suitability for specific medications.

Definition of a POM

A medicine with a POM classification in the marketing authorization or POM Order.
Includes medications for which a practitioner prescription is required.
Patient specific directions (PSD) are written instructions for medication administration.
A person may not sell or supply a POM except in accordance with a prescription given by an appropriate practitioner. Exceptions include emergency supplies, Patient Group Directions (PGDs), or patient-specific directions in hospitals.

Products Always Classified as POMs

Parenteral products.
Controlled Drugs (CDs), unless the product monograph lists it as a Pharmacy or General Sale List (GSL)
Cyanogenic substances (unless for external use).
Medicinal substances that emit radiation on administration.
New chemical entities.

Dispensing Prescriptions for POMs

Legal requirements for POMs include issue by an appropriate practitioner, ink signature, and written in an indelible format.
Required components: the appropriate practitioner's address, the date of prescription, type of practitioner, patient's name and address, and age if under 12.
The prescription is valid for six months from the appropriate date.
Requirements for repeatable prescriptions.
Additional considerations for controlled drugs and repeats.

Definition of "Appropriate Practitioner"

Includes a wide variety of healthcare roles including doctors, dentists, community nurse prescribers, supplementary prescribers, and various independent prescribers (e.g. pharmacist, optometrist, physiotherapist, podiatrist, etc.).

Important Points about Prescriptions

"An indication of the kind of practitioner" explained.
Information and clarity on dates.
Importance of verifying the prescription's authenticity.
The use of prescription details - example prescription shown.

Private Prescriptions

Follow legal requirements outlined for POM prescriptions
Can be written on any form and by any appropriate practitioner.
The date on private prescriptions is the date when the prescription was signed
No restrictions regarding which medications can be prescribed.
Should be verified as genuine.

Repeatable Prescriptions

Definition a repeatable prescription
No repeat dispensing scheme for FP10
No legal repeat limits (unless it is for oral contraceptive, see further notes)
Prescribing should follow clinical judgement.
Correct marking for repeat prescriptions.

Dispensing Valproate-Containing Medicines

Information about safety for unborn babies.
Current laws require use of complete packs - not repackaging.
Only the nearest quantity may be dispensed.

Non-UK Prescriptions

Prescriptions from other countries are recognized if from an approved professional in an approved country.
Legal requirements: Patient details, prescriber details, full name of medical product, dosage or route, quantity, prescriber signature, date of issue.
Important to verify prescriber information and registration status
Note that for these prescriptions you need to assess risk to the patient and whether to dispense.

Prescription Records (1 & 2)

Record keeping requirements for all supplies of POMs.
Records for wholesale dealing.
Records must be retained for two years.
Details to be recorded (date, name, quantity, form, strength, practitioner details, patient details).

Fate of Dispensed Prescriptions

NHS prescriptions sent to the NHS Business Services Authority.
Non-repeatable private prescriptions are kept in the pharmacy for two years.
Repeatable private prescriptions kept for two years from the final repeat.
Handing prescriptions for repeats to patients for outstanding repeats or keeping at the pharmacy.

Hub and Spoke Dispensing

Explanation of the process.
Advantages/disadvantages.
Current considerations - new law and changes.

Dispensing Errors

Definition of errors.
Criminal offence if certain errors or types occur.
Legal defence if due diligence occurs.

Internet/Online Pharmacies

Detailed explanation of the current situation and risks.
Key guidance from GPhC.

Prescription Collection Units (PCUs)

Description and operation.
Suitable/unsuitable medicines.
Additional info or guidance from the GPhC about use.

Forged Prescriptions

Importance of checking for forgeries.
Due diligence procedures regarding forgeries.

Prescribing POMs in Hospitals (for inpatients)

Information regarding patient specific directions in hospital settings.
Clarity on requirements for dispensing.

Administration of a POM

Guidance on administering POMs.
Notes on exemptions.

Self-Checking Prescriptions

Explanation of the procedure for self-checking prescriptions.
The importance of two people involved to avoid dispensing errors.

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Description

This quiz focuses on the Sale and Supply of Prescription Only Medicines (POMs) as part of the OSPAP programme. Learn to define POMs, identify legal classifications, and understand prescription requirements and dispensing circumstances. Prepare to enhance your knowledge and compliance in this crucial area of pharmaceutical practice.