Dispensing & Supply

What are the essential legal requirements for a valid NHS prescription?

• APatient name, date, and prescriber signature
• BPatient name, address, date, medicine details, quantity, dose, and prescriber identification✓
• CJust the medicine name and dose
• DPatient name and payment method

Answer: A valid NHS prescription must contain: patient identification, date issued, name/strength/form/dose of medicine, quantity, prescriber details, and prescriber signature.

How long is an NHS prescription valid for dispensing?

• A2 weeks
• B1 month
• C3 months✓
• D6 months

Answer: An NHS prescription in England is valid for 6 months from the date of issue (in Scotland, 9 months for repeat prescriptions).

What is 'repeat dispensing' in NHS pharmacy?

• ADispensing the same prescription multiple times without visiting the GP✓
• BGiving extra items when the patient returns
• CPrescribing medication for repeated illness
• DA system for reducing dispensing fees

Answer: Repeat dispensing allows patients to obtain repeat prescriptions without visiting their GP each time, via a single authorisation from the prescriber.

Which information MUST appear on a medicine label following dispensing?

• AOnly the patient name
• BPatient name, pharmacy name, medicine name, strength, dose instructions, and expiry date✓
• CJust the medicine name
• DStorage temperature only

Answer: Pharmacy labels must include: patient name, pharmacy details, medicine name, strength, form, quantity, dose instructions, and warning labels/precautions.

What is 'patient counselling' in pharmacy?

• APsychological therapy
• BProviding information about medicines, correct use, side effects, interactions, and storage✓
• CGiving the patient a copy of the prescription
• DOnly explaining how to take the medicine

Answer: Patient counselling involves providing comprehensive information about their medicine including how to use it, expected effects, side effects, interactions, and storage.

Which medicines can be sold Over-The-Counter (OTC) without a prescription?

• AAll medicines
• BMedicines on the General Sales List (GSL) and Pharmacy (P) medicines✓
• COnly antibiotics
• DNo medicines without prescription

Answer: GSL medicines (e.g., paracetamol, ibuprofen) can be sold freely, and P medicines (e.g., some antihistamines) can be sold in pharmacies under pharmacist supervision.

What is 'emergency supply of a medicine' in community pharmacy?

• ASupplying medicines only in emergencies
• BProviding medicines without a valid prescription when the patient's supply has run out and prescriber is unavailable✓
• CUrgent delivery to hospitals
• DFree supplies during health crises

Answer: Emergency supply allows pharmacists to provide a limited quantity of medicine without a valid prescription if the patient confirms it was previously prescribed and is needed urgently.

What is the maximum quantity of a Pharmacy (P) medicine that can be purchased at one time?

• ANo limit
• BPharmacist's discretion✓
• COne pack only
• D5 packs maximum

Answer: The quantity of P medicines sold is at the pharmacist's discretion based on patient need and responsible supply principles.

Which prescription requirement is aimed at reducing medication errors?

• AUsing abbreviations
• BWriting strengths in numerals only
• CAvoiding unnecessary decimals and using leading zeros✓
• DUsing shorthand symbols

Answer: Best practice includes avoiding unnecessary decimals (e.g., write 5 mg not 5.0 mg) and using leading zeros (0.5 mg not .5 mg) to prevent dosing errors.

What is a 'private prescription'?

• AA prescription that the patient keeps private
• BA prescription paid for privately by the patient rather than through the NHS✓
• CA prescription from a private doctor
• DAn electronic prescription system

Answer: A private prescription is one where the patient pays for the medicine directly rather than using the NHS, typically issued by any doctor but paid privately.

Which abbreviation should NEVER be used on prescriptions?

• Amg (milligrams)
• BIU (international units)
• COD (once daily)✓
• Dml (millilitres)

Answer: 'OD' (once daily) is on the MHRA 'Do Not Use' list as it can be misread. Instead, write 'once daily' in full to prevent errors.

What is 'dispensing validation' in pharmacy?

• AChecking the prescription is legal and appropriate
• BRegistering the patient on a system
• CA procedure by which the pharmacist ensures the prescription is legal, safe, and appropriate before supply✓
• DJust counting the tablets

Answer: Dispensing validation is the pharmacist's professional check ensuring the prescription is legal, safe, clinically appropriate, and the medicine is suitable for the patient.