GPhC Dispensing Practice

Question 1

When dispensing a prescription for a Schedule 2 controlled drug, what specific record must be made in the controlled drug register?

Accepted Answer

Date of supply, name and address of the patient, prescriber details, quantity supplied, and the running balance

Answer

Only the drug name and quantity

Answer

Just the patient's name and date

Answer

No register entry is required for Schedule 2 drugs dispensed on NHS prescriptions

Question 2

A patient presents with an NHS prescription written 4 months ago. What should the pharmacist do?

Accepted Answer

Inform the patient the prescription is no longer valid as NHS prescriptions expire after 6 months, but check if it was issued within that period

Answer

Dispense as normal — NHS prescriptions have no expiry

Answer

Inform the patient that NHS prescriptions are valid for 6 months from the date on the prescription

Answer

Refuse to dispense and destroy the prescription

Question 3

During the final accuracy check of a dispensed prescription, the pharmacist notices the tablets are the correct generic medicine but a different brand from what the patient usually receives. The prescription is written generically. What is the correct action?

Accepted Answer

The prescription is written generically so any brand is acceptable — proceed with the accuracy check and counsel the patient about the different appearance

Answer

Reject the dispensed item and reorder the patient's usual brand

Answer

Contact the prescriber to change to a branded prescription

Answer

Tell the patient to return the tablets if they experience any problems

Question 4

What is the correct procedure for endorsing an NHS prescription that has been dispensed with a broken bulk (part of an original pack)?

Accepted Answer

Endorse the prescription with 'BB' followed by the pack size and quantity supplied

Answer

No endorsement is required for broken bulk

Answer

Write 'part pack' on the prescription

Answer

Endorse with the total quantity in the original pack

Question 5

A patient's prescription specifies 'metformin 500mg tablets — 56 tablets'. The pharmacy has both standard and modified-release metformin 500mg in stock. Which should be dispensed?

Accepted Answer

Only the standard-release formulation, as modified-release would need to be specified on the prescription

Answer

Either formulation can be dispensed as the dose is the same

Answer

The modified-release formulation as it has better compliance

Answer

Whichever is cheaper for the pharmacy

Question 6

During dispensing, a pharmacist notices a prescription for amoxicillin 250mg/5mL suspension with directions 'take 5mL three times a day for 7 days' but the quantity prescribed is only 50mL. What should the pharmacist do?

Accepted Answer

Contact the prescriber to clarify — the dose and duration require 105mL, not 50mL

Answer

Dispense 50mL as written on the prescription

Answer

Dispense 100mL as the nearest available pack size

Answer

Dispense 50mL and tell the patient to return for more