Dispensing Practice & Controlled Drugs Flashcards

According to the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, Class A drugs include:

Answer: Heroin, cocaine, and LSD

Class A drugs carry the most severe penalties under the MDA 1971. They include heroin (diamorphine), cocaine, crack cocaine, MDMA (ecstasy), and LSD.

A prescription for a private patient requires a 28-day supply of morphine sulphate modified release 30 mg bd. What is the total quantity?

Answer: 56 tablets

28 days × 2 doses per day = 56 tablets. The prescription must state 'fifty-six (56) tablets' in both words and figures as a Schedule 2 CD requirement.

Which dispensing label warning is required for methotrexate?

Answer: 'Caution — it is important to follow the dosage instructions given with this medicine'

Methotrexate carries a specific cautionary label because weekly dosing errors have caused deaths. The standard label emphasises following exact dosage instructions provided.

What is an 'unlicensed medicine'?

Answer: A medicine without a UK marketing authorisation, used on prescriber responsibility

Unlicensed medicines have no UK marketing authorisation (MA). Their use is legal but places full clinical responsibility on the prescriber. They include specials, imports, and investigational drugs.

Which of the following is an example of a 'clinical governance' activity in community pharmacy?

Answer: Regular audit of dispensing errors and near misses

Clinical governance encompasses activities that improve quality and safety of patient care: clinical audit, error reporting, CPD, risk assessment, and patient feedback mechanisms.

A pharmacist dispenses the wrong drug to a patient who then takes it. What regulatory reporting obligation may exist?

Answer: Report as a patient safety incident via NHS reporting systems; serious harm may require reporting to GPhC and coroner

A dispensing error causing patient harm must be reported through NHS incident reporting. Serious harm or death may necessitate reporting to the GPhC (fitness to practise) and the coroner if death occurs.