GPhC Public Health Pharmacy 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A pharmacy provides supervised consumption of methadone as part of an opioid substitution therapy programme. What is the primary reason for supervised consumption?
- To ensure the patient takes the medicine at the correct time of day
- To prevent diversion of methadone to others and reduce the risk of accidental overdose, particularly in early treatment (Correct answer)
- To allow the pharmacist to monitor for allergic reactions
- Supervised consumption is only required for the first dose
Correct answer: To prevent diversion of methadone to others and reduce the risk of accidental overdose, particularly in early treatment
Supervised consumption ensures the patient takes the methadone themselves, preventing diversion to others (including children, who are at high risk of fatal overdose from even small amounts). It is most critical in the early stages of treatment when the correct dose is being established and the risk of overdose is highest.
Question 2: Which of the following conditions can a pharmacist supply treatment for under the NHS Pharmacy First service in England?
- Suspected appendicitis
- Uncomplicated urinary tract infection in women aged 16-64 (Correct answer)
- Chest pain radiating to the left arm
- Type 2 diabetes management
Correct answer: Uncomplicated urinary tract infection in women aged 16-64
The NHS Pharmacy First service (launched January 2024) allows community pharmacists to assess and supply prescription-only medicines for seven common conditions via clinical pathways, including uncomplicated UTIs in women aged 16-64. Other conditions include sinusitis, sore throat, earache, infected insect bites, impetigo, and shingles.
Question 3: What is the pharmacist's role in supporting patients with substance misuse who wish to reduce alcohol consumption?
- Pharmacists have no role in alcohol interventions
- Provide brief interventions including AUDIT-C screening, advice on safe drinking limits, and referral to specialist services where appropriate (Correct answer)
- Only advise patients to stop drinking completely
- Prescribe disulfiram without a prescription
Correct answer: Provide brief interventions including AUDIT-C screening, advice on safe drinking limits, and referral to specialist services where appropriate
Pharmacists can deliver alcohol identification and brief advice (IBA) using validated screening tools like AUDIT-C. They can advise on UK Chief Medical Officers' low-risk drinking guidelines (14 units/week), provide motivational support, and refer to specialist alcohol services. Brief interventions in pharmacy settings have been shown to be effective.
Question 4: A patient asks their pharmacist about the HPV vaccination programme in the UK. Which statement is correct?
- HPV vaccination is only offered to girls aged 12-13
- The HPV vaccine is offered to all children aged 12-13 (Year 8) regardless of gender, to protect against HPV-related cancers (Correct answer)
- HPV vaccination is only available privately
- HPV vaccination is only recommended for adults over 25
Correct answer: The HPV vaccine is offered to all children aged 12-13 (Year 8) regardless of gender, to protect against HPV-related cancers
The UK HPV vaccination programme offers the vaccine to all children aged 12-13 (school Year 8), regardless of gender. Since 2019, the programme has been gender-neutral. The vaccine protects against HPV types that cause cervical cancer, other genital cancers, head and neck cancers, and genital warts.
Question 5: A patient asks about the NHS community pharmacy blood pressure check service. What does this service involve?
- A single blood pressure reading with no follow-up
- Identification of adults aged 40+ with undiagnosed hypertension through clinic BP measurement, followed by ambulatory monitoring or referral as needed (Correct answer)
- Blood pressure checks only for patients already diagnosed with hypertension
- The service is only available in hospital settings
Correct answer: Identification of adults aged 40+ with undiagnosed hypertension through clinic BP measurement, followed by ambulatory monitoring or referral as needed
The NHS community pharmacy blood pressure check service targets adults aged 40 and over to identify undiagnosed hypertension. It involves clinic blood pressure measurement and, where readings are elevated, the pharmacy may provide ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) or refer to the GP for further assessment and diagnosis.
Question 6: Which health promotion campaign involves pharmacists advising patients to complete the full course of prescribed antibiotics and not to share them with others?
- Stoptober
- Antibiotic Guardian / European Antibiotic Awareness Week (Correct answer)
- Dry January
- Change4Life
Correct answer: Antibiotic Guardian / European Antibiotic Awareness Week
The Antibiotic Guardian campaign and European Antibiotic Awareness Week (November) promote responsible antibiotic use. Key messages include completing prescribed courses, not sharing antibiotics, not saving leftover antibiotics, and understanding that antibiotics do not work for viral infections. Pharmacists are encouraged to become Antibiotic Guardians.
GPhC Public Health Pharmacy 2
A pharmacy provides supervised consumption of methadone as part of an opioid substitution therapy programme.
What is the primary reason for supervised consumption?