Pharmacy Emergency Supply Service: Complete Guide
Master pharmacy emergency supply regulations. Understand eligibility criteria, documentation requirements, and professional responsibilities.
Saturday afternoon. Patient needs their regular medication urgently. No prescription. GP surgery closed until Monday. What do you do?
Emergency supply provisions exist precisely for these situations. Pharmacists can supply prescription-only medicines without a prescription in genuine emergencies. But the criteria are specific and documentation essential.
Understanding Emergency Supply
Legal Framework
The Human Medicines Regulations 2012 permit emergency supplies at patient request. Specific conditions must be met. The pharmacist must exercise professional judgement on genuine need.
Eligibility Criteria
The pharmacist must be satisfied that there is immediate need. The medicine has been previously prescribed. It is impractical to obtain a prescription without undue delay. The quantity supplied is the minimum necessary.
Excluded Medicines
Not all medicines can be supplied as emergency supplies. Schedule 1, 2, and 3 Controlled Drugs are excluded. Phenobarbital and phenytoin for epilepsy are exceptions. Know what you can and cannot supply.
Making the Decision
Assessment
Verify the patient has been prescribed this medicine before. Check your PMR or ask to see previous packaging. Assess genuine urgency. Consider risks of supply versus non-supply.
Quantity
Supply the smallest quantity to meet immediate need. Usually up to 30 days for ongoing treatment. Smaller quantities for acute conditions. Document your rationale.
Labelling Requirements
Emergency supplies have specific labelling requirements. Label must state Emergency Supply. Include the date. Record the quantity. Standard labelling requirements also apply.
Documentation
Required Records
Record the date of supply, name and address of patient, medicine supplied including strength and form, quantity, reason for emergency supply, and your signature.
Follow-Up
Advise the patient to obtain a prescription promptly. Consider notifying the GP of the supply. Ensure continuity of care.
Professional Responsibility
Emergency supply is a valuable patient service but carries professional responsibility. Proper assessment, appropriate supply, and thorough documentation protect patients and pharmacists.
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