Pharmacy Prescription Regulations Quiz

A medicine that can only be supplied or sold by a registered medical professional, following their instructions.

Written instructions from a doctor or other healthcare professional specifying how a medicine should be used.

Medicinal products that are always classified as POM, regardless of intended use. Examples include injectable medicines, certain controlled substances, and some poisonous substances.

The supplier of a POM is legally required to follow the specific instructions provided by the prescriber.

Situations where exceptions to POM restrictions may be made in case of emergency, allowing for immediate access to necessary medicines.

A prescription that can be refilled multiple times within a specific time frame.

The period of time during which a prescription is valid for dispensing.

A type of prescription that is valid for 6 months from the date the practitioner is registered in the UK or approved health professional in the relevant country.

A prescription for a controlled drug must be written in indelible ink.

The time period within which a medicine must be supplied, as determined by the prescription's date.

A health professional authorized to write prescriptions for specific medicines.

A series of refills for a prescription, often limited to a certain number of times.

A specific type of prescription for birth control pills.

A type of prescription that is not subject to certain restrictions, such as repeat refills.

The date on which the prescription was written or signed by the practitioner.

The name of the prescriber is not required on a post-dated prescription.

A prescription that follows the same legal requirements as NHS prescriptions, but can be written on any paper.

Information needed to dispense a prescription: drug name, strength, form, dose, and frequency.

A system for dispensing controlled substances and addictive medications to patients on a regular basis, ensuring safe and controlled medication access.

The pharmacy may refuse dispensing when a repeat prescription has expired, even if it's within the timeframe specified by the prescriber.

A prescriber, like a doctor, may be responsible for providing as many repeat prescriptions as are expected for a patient's ongoing needs.

A pharmacist, adhering to their terms of service, should not dispense a prescription written by a dentist for a medication not listed in specific formularies.

A digital signature that meets specific security standards, uniquely linked to the electronic record and the prescribing practitioner.

The process of sending electronic prescriptions, including controlled drugs, from the prescriber to the pharmacy.

A secure system used in the UK to manage health records and prescriptions, ensuring data accuracy and accessibility.

A unique identifier linked to each prescription, enabling tracking and verification throughout the system.

A digital system preventing unauthorized changes to electronic prescriptions, ensuring data integrity.

Dentists can prescribe branded versions of generic medicines even though the prescription only lists the generic name.

Community nurses with extra training can prescribe a limited range of medications on a doctor's prescription FP10P Clinic. These medications are listed in the Nurse Prescribing Formulary (NPF) for Community Practitioners in the BNF.

Nurse prescribers who are either independent prescribers or supplementary prescribers are not the same as community practitioner nurses.

Dentists generally prescribe medicines for dental uses only unless it is clinically appropriate to do otherwise.

These nurses can only prescribe medications that are included in the Nurse Prescribing Formulary (NPF) and are listed in the BNF.

A pharmacist can only dispense the exact brand name prescribed, not a generic equivalent.

If a medicine is in short supply, the pharmacist can ask for alternative products.

The original packaging of a medicine must be provided to the patient, not just the contents.

The quantity of medicine dispensed must match exactly what's written on the prescription.

Pharmacists must dispense the exact form, strength, and quantity of medicine as prescribed.

Valproate-containing medications should be dispensed in a way that makes it easy for patients to follow their prescribed dosage.

Valproate can cause serious birth defects and developmental problems in unborn babies. This risk applies to both men and women.

New regulations effective in October 2025 require that valproate medications for multiple patients or full doses be split into smaller packages.

Valproate medication packaging should clearly display warning labels to help patients understand the potential risks.

Patients should receive a patient information leaflet (PIL) and a patient card to provide clear instructions and guidance on using valproate.

Exemptions from prescription rules require a risk assessment, assigned supply location, and careful handling by the patient, including labeling and safety warnings. The manufacturer's information should be included on the package.

Prescriptions from approved health professionals in authorized countries (EEA, Switzerland, and others published by MHRA) are valid.

Approved health professionals for non-UK prescriptions include doctors, dentists, and other professionals with prescribing rights in their own countries.

Prescriptions must include the patient's full name, date, prescriber's full name, qualifications, and contact details (address, phone, email).

Prescriptions must specify the medication's name, form, dosage, quantity, strength, and the country of origin.