Dispensing Practice & Controlled Drugs Flashcards

What action is required if a community pharmacist identifies a prescription that appears to be forged?

Answer: Retain the prescription, contact the prescriber to verify, and report to police/NHS Controlled Drugs team if confirmed forgery

A forged CD prescription should not be dispensed. The pharmacist should retain it (it is evidence), verify with the prescriber, and report to police/NHS CD Accountable Officer if forgery is confirmed.

Under EPS, what is a 'nomination' in the context of repeat prescriptions?

Answer: A patient's chosen pharmacy where electronic prescriptions are sent automatically

EPS nomination allows patients to nominate a specific pharmacy to receive their electronic prescriptions automatically, removing the need to collect paper prescriptions from the GP.

A dispensing error results in a patient receiving the wrong dose. What immediate steps must be taken?

Answer: Recall the dispensed medicine, inform the patient and assess for harm, report through incident system, and document

Immediate steps include: recalling the incorrect item, contacting and informing the patient, assessing for harm, appropriate clinical management if needed, and internal/external incident reporting.

What is the maximum number of days' supply typically permitted for Schedule 2 CD prescriptions in primary care?

Answer: 30 days

There is no absolute legal maximum for CD prescription supply, but NHS guidance and good practice recommend no more than 30 days' supply at a time to limit stockpiling risk.

Buprenorphine patches used for pain management are classified in which CD schedule?

Answer: Schedule 3

Buprenorphine is a Schedule 3 CD. Unlike Schedule 2 CDs, it does not require a CD register entry in community pharmacy but does require safe custody.

What does the term 'near miss' mean in pharmacy dispensing?

Answer: An error that was caught before it reached the patient

A near miss is an incident where an error occurred during dispensing but was intercepted before reaching the patient. Reporting near misses is vital for learning and improving safety systems.