A) Emergency Supply of Prescription Only Medicines
A pharmacist can provide an emergency supply of a prescription only medicine based on a request from a prescriber (registered medical practitioner, registered dentist, or registered nurse). This is allowable in emergency situations where the prescriber is unable to supply the prescription immediately but undertakes to provide it within 72 hours. The pharmacist may make the supply in accordance with the prescriber’s instructions, including the quantity to be supplied.
A pharmacist can provide an emergency supply of a prescription only medicine based on a
patient’s request, where they have interviewed the patient and are satisfied that there is an immediate need for the supply, it is impracticable to obtain a prescription without undue delay, the treatment has previously been prescribed for the patient (by a medical practitioner, registered dentist, or registered nurse), and the appropriate dose can be verified. Emergency supplies made on foot of a patient request may be of quantity that provides
up to 5 day’s treatment or the nearest equivalent minimum dosage pack unit.
B) Emergency Supply of Schedule 2, 3 and 4 Controlled Drugs
Pharmacists are not permitted to provide emergency supplies of controlled drugs in schedule 2, 3 or 4 whether at the request of a prescriber or a patient, unless further specific conditions are met in accordance with the Medicinal Products (Prescription and Control of Supply) Regulations 2003 (as amended), including that in the pharmacist’s opinion:
-
there is an immediate need for the supply of the controlled drug to be made,
- it is safe, appropriate, and necessary to make the supply for the continued treatment of the patient,
- it is not possible to obtain a prescription without undue delay,
- the treatment has previously been prescribed for the patient, and
- no more than 5 days treatment or the nearest equivalent minimum dosage pack unit size is being supplied (additionally, where the supply is in on foot of a request by a patient.)
- an emergency supply of the controlled drug has not already been supplied based on a request by the patient since their last supply on foot of a prescription.
Note: Pharmacists can provide an emergency supply of methylphenobarbitone, phenobarbitone, phenobarbitone sodium, midazolam, clobazam, or clonazepam, at the request of either a prescriber or a patient, without having to satisfy the additional conditions above, where it is for the treatment of epilepsy.