GPhC Pharmacy Law and Ethics — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under the Medicines Act 1968, which category of medicines can only be sold or supplied from a registered pharmacy by or under the supervision of a pharmacist?
- General Sale List (GSL) medicines
- Pharmacy (P) medicines (Correct answer)
- Prescription Only Medicines (POMs)
- Controlled drugs only
Correct answer: Pharmacy (P) medicines
Pharmacy (P) medicines must be sold from a registered pharmacy under the supervision of a pharmacist. POMs require a prescription, GSL medicines can be sold from any retail outlet, and controlled drugs are a subset of POMs with additional restrictions.
Question 2: A patient presents a private prescription for a Schedule 2 controlled drug. Which of the following is NOT a legal requirement for this prescription to be valid?
- The prescriber's GPhC registration number (Correct answer)
- The total quantity in both words and figures
- The patient's name and address
- The prescriber's signature in ink
Correct answer: The prescriber's GPhC registration number
Private prescriptions for Schedule 2 controlled drugs must include the patient's name and address, dose, total quantity in words and figures, and the prescriber's signature. The prescriber's GPhC number is not required — a prescriber identification number from the relevant regulatory body is needed, not the GPhC number specifically.
Question 3: According to GPhC Standards for Pharmacy Professionals, what is the pharmacist's primary obligation when a conflict arises between the employer's commercial interests and patient safety?
- Follow the employer's policies as they carry legal liability
- Balance both interests equally
- Prioritise patient safety above all other considerations (Correct answer)
- Refer the matter to the GPhC before taking action
Correct answer: Prioritise patient safety above all other considerations
The GPhC Standards for Pharmacy Professionals clearly state that pharmacy professionals must make the care of patients their first concern. Patient safety must always take priority over commercial or organisational pressures.
Question 4: What is the maximum period of validity for an NHS prescription for a Schedule 2 controlled drug?
- 14 days
- 28 days (Correct answer)
- 3 months
- 6 months
Correct answer: 28 days
NHS prescriptions for Schedule 2 controlled drugs are valid for 28 days from the appropriate date on the prescription. This restriction was introduced to reduce the risk of diversion and misuse of controlled substances.
Question 5: A pharmacist discovers that a dispensing error has been made after the patient has left the pharmacy. Under the GPhC duty of candour, what must the pharmacist do?
- Document the error internally and wait for the patient to return
- Contact the patient promptly, explain what happened, and apologise (Correct answer)
- Report only to the superintendent pharmacist
- Notify the MHRA before contacting the patient
Correct answer: Contact the patient promptly, explain what happened, and apologise
The duty of candour requires pharmacy professionals to be open and honest with patients when things go wrong. This includes promptly contacting the patient, explaining what happened, apologising, and taking steps to remedy the situation. Delay could cause patient harm.
Question 6: Which piece of legislation governs the safe management and use of controlled drugs in the UK, including requirements for record-keeping in controlled drug registers?
- Medicines Act 1968
- Misuse of Drugs Act 1971
- Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 (Correct answer)
- Health Act 2006
Correct answer: Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001
The Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 provides the detailed framework for the practical management of controlled drugs, including prescribing, supply, administration, record-keeping in CD registers, and safe custody requirements. The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 sets out the classification and offences.
GPhC Pharmacy Law and Ethics
Under the Medicines Act 1968, which category of medicines can only be sold or supplied from a registered pharmacy by or under the supervision of a pharmacist?