GPhC Dispensing Practice & Controlled Drugs 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A prescription for 'MST Continus 30mg tablets' is presented. What does 'MST Continus' indicate?
- Modified-release morphine sulfate tablets (Correct answer)
- Immediate-release morphine
- Codeine phosphate tablets
- A brand name for methadone
Correct answer: Modified-release morphine sulfate tablets
MST Continus is a brand of modified-release morphine sulfate tablets, providing 12-hourly controlled release. This is a Schedule 2 CD requiring full CD prescription requirements.
Question 2: Which of the following is NOT permitted on a Schedule 2 CD prescription?
- Total quantity expressed as words only without figures (Correct answer)
- Both words and figures for the total quantity
- Computer-generated text with handwritten signature
- A nurse independent prescriber's signature
Correct answer: Total quantity expressed as words only without figures
CD prescriptions must state the total quantity in both words AND figures (e.g., thirty (30) tablets). Words alone are not sufficient; both are legally required.
Question 3: What is the role of the Controlled Drugs Accountable Officer (CDAO)?
- To ensure proper management and use of CDs within their organisation and investigate concerns (Correct answer)
- To prescribe controlled drugs for patients
- To manage CD stock ordering for community pharmacies
- To train pharmacy staff on dispensing only
Correct answer: To ensure proper management and use of CDs within their organisation and investigate concerns
CDAOs, established under the Health Act 2006, are responsible for overseeing CD governance, investigating concerns, maintaining CD registers, and reporting significant incidents within their organisation.
Question 4: A patient states they lost their methadone prescription. What is the correct pharmacist action?
- Contact the prescriber, do not dispense on the verbal statement alone; a new prescription is required (Correct answer)
- Dispense a replacement based on the patient's word
- Issue a replacement prescription yourself
- Refer to A&E immediately
Correct answer: Contact the prescriber, do not dispense on the verbal statement alone; a new prescription is required
Lost CD prescriptions cannot simply be replaced by the pharmacist. The prescriber must be contacted; a new, valid prescription is required before dispensing. Patient history and risk must be assessed.
Question 5: Which strength of naloxone is carried as an emergency medicine in community pharmacies under some NHS England schemes?
- Naloxone 400 micrograms/mL injection and/or 1.8 mg intranasal spray (Correct answer)
- Naloxone 10 mg tablets
- Naloxone 100 mg infusion only
- Naloxone is not available in community pharmacies
Correct answer: Naloxone 400 micrograms/mL injection and/or 1.8 mg intranasal spray
Under take-home naloxone schemes, pharmacies supply naloxone 400 mcg/mL injection or Nyxoid 1.8 mg nasal spray for opioid overdose reversal in community settings.
Question 6: What is the definition of a 'wholesale dealer' under the Human Medicines Regulations 2012?
- A person who sells or supplies medicines for the purpose of sale or supply by others (Correct answer)
- A pharmacist supplying to patients
- A GP dispensing to their own patients
- A hospital purchasing medicines for inpatient use
Correct answer: A person who sells or supplies medicines for the purpose of sale or supply by others
A wholesale dealer supplies medicines to others who will then sell or supply them (e.g., pharmacies, hospitals), as opposed to a retail sale directly to patients or end users.
GPhC Dispensing Practice & Controlled Drugs 4
A prescription for 'MST Continus 30mg tablets' is presented.
What does 'MST Continus' indicate?