Pharmacy Law and Ethics Flashcards

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?

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.

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?

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.

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?

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.

What is the maximum period of validity for an NHS prescription for a Schedule 2 controlled drug?

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.

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?

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.

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?

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.