Pharmacist Register and Pharmacy Regulations Review

Practice flashcards covering the UK GPhC pharmacist register requirements, responsible pharmacist duties, controlled drug schedules, and pharmacy law governing veterinary and human prescriptions.

Revalidation submissions

A total of $6$ yearly submissions including $4$ continuing professional development (CPD) records (with a minimum of $2$ planned), $1$ peer discussion record, and $1$ reflective account record.

Responsible Pharmacist (RP) Sign

A display containing the name of the RP, their GPhC number, and the statement: 'The responsible pharmacist is in charge of the pharmacy'.

RP absence limit

A maximum of $2\,hours$ of absence in a $24-hour$ period per pharmacy.

RP record retention

Records of the RP's name, registration number, time of service, and any absences must be kept for $5\,years$.

Permissible activities without an RP signed in

Accessing the PMR, downloading prescriptions, receiving stock and patient returns (excluding controlled drugs), date checking, and processing dispensed prescriptions.

GSL sales with an RP signed in but not present

Selling General Sales List (GSL) medications is allowed if the RP has signed in but is temporarily absent.

Standard POM prescription validity

Valid for $6\,months$ from the date of issue, including owings.

Prescription age requirement

The age of the patient must be stated on the prescription if they are under $12\,years$ old.

Repeatable prescription (unstated repeats)

If no number of repeats is specified, the prescription is allowed for a total of $2$ installments.

EEA and Switzerland prescription exclusions

Pharmacists cannot dispense any Schedule $1$, $2$, or $3$ medications on prescriptions from these regions.

Emergency Supply (POM) maximum

A maximum of a $30\,days$ supply is allowed, except for specific items like insulin or full cycles of oral contraceptives.

Emergency Supply (CD) maximum

A maximum of a $5\,days$ supply for Schedule $4$ or $5$ drugs; phenobarbital for epilepsy is also limited to $5\,days$.

Signed Order retention

A dated POM register record of the signed order must be kept for $2\,years$.

CD prescription quantity requirement

The total quantity or dosage units of the preparation must be written in both words and figures.

CD prescription directions

The directions must be specific; 'as directed' is not acceptable, but 'one as directed' is.

CD prescription validity (Schedule 2-4)

Valid for $28\,days$ from the date of issue.

Private CD prescription form

Private prescriptions for Schedule $2$ or $3$ controlled drugs must be written on a standardized $FP10PCD$.

Instalment prescription missed doses

The pharmacist should not dispense and must contact the prescriber if a patient misses $3$ consecutive doses.

Sativex records

Records for the possession and destruction of Sativex (a Schedule $4$ Part $1$ drug) are legally required.

CD record alterations

No alterations are allowed in the controlled drug register; corrections must be dated and entered in the margin or foot.

Schedule 2 stock destruction

Must be denatured and witnessed by an authorized witness such as an accountable officer.

Statutory Medical Defence (Driving)

Protection from prosecution for driving over the drug limit if the medication was acquired legitimately and the patient is not impaired.

CD Requisition Form

Schedule $1$, $2$, and $3$ drugs must be requisitioned using an $FP10CDF$ form.

POM-VPS

Veterinary medicines that can be prescribed by a Veterinarian, Pharmacist, or Suitably Qualified Person (SQP).

Veterinary Cascade

A five-step sequence used to select a medicine for an animal when no authorized product exists for the specific indicator or species.

Veterinary medicine record keeping

Records for POM-V and POM-VPS medications must be kept for at least $5\,years$.

Patient Medical Records (PMR) retention

Must be kept for $10\,years$ after the patient's death.

POM Register retention

Must be kept for $2\,years$ from the date of the last entry.

MHRA Class 1 Recall

Indicates a risk of death or disability; immediate action is required.

MHRA Class 2 Recall

Indicates risk of mistreatment or harm not considered serious; action is required within $48\,Hours$.

Yellow Card Scheme

A system used to report adverse drug reactions, defective products, and all reactions associated with 'black triangle' drugs.

Duty of Candour

A professional requirement for pharmacists to act in an open and transparent way when clinical errors occur.

LFPSE

The Learn from Patient Safety Events Service, which replaced the NRLS in $2021$ for reporting pharmacy errors.

Pseudoephedrine legal supply limit

A maximum of $720\,mg$ can be supplied in a single transaction without a prescription.

Expiry Date: 'Use by/before June 2026'

The last date the medication can be safely used is $31/05/2026$.

Gillick Competence

A standard used to assess if a child under $16\,years$ can consent to medical treatment without parental knowledge.

Fraser Guidelines

Specific guidelines used to determine if a person under $16\,years$ can consent to treatment related to contraception or sexual health.

FGM reporting duty

A legal duty to report suspected Female Genital Mutilation to the police if the person is aged under $18\,years$.