An emergency supply request on a Saturday morning; which is the most appropriate course of action?

An emergency supply request on a Saturday morning; which is the most appropriate course of action?

• A. Refuse and Ask Patient to Contact GP
• B. Supply 5 Days Treatment
• C. Refer To Hospital
• D. Supply 2 Days Treatment

Answer: (B)

In emergency supply situations, a pharmacist can provide a short course of a prescription-only medicine without a new prescription to prevent harm from stopping treatment, but this is limited to a five-day supply. On a Saturday morning when the GP is not available, the most appropriate action is to offer up to five days of treatment to maintain the patient’s therapy while they obtain a formal prescription later. This helps avoid interruption of care and reduces the risk of symptoms worsening, provided the medicine is one the patient has used before or for which there is a reasonable expectation of continuing therapy, and the pharmacist verifies the dose, strength, and safety (including allergies and interactions). The patient should be advised to seek a proper prescription as soon as possible, and the supply documented. Supplying only a shorter duration or refusing in this scenario would unnecessarily jeopardize the patient’s health, and referral to hospital is not indicated for a routine emergency supply.

In emergency supply situations, a pharmacist can provide a short course of a prescription-only medicine without a new prescription to prevent harm from stopping treatment, but this is limited to a five-day supply. On a Saturday morning when the GP is not available, the most appropriate action is to offer up to five days of treatment to maintain the patient’s therapy while they obtain a formal prescription later. This helps avoid interruption of care and reduces the risk of symptoms worsening, provided the medicine is one the patient has used before or for which there is a reasonable expectation of continuing therapy, and the pharmacist verifies the dose, strength, and safety (including allergies and interactions). The patient should be advised to seek a proper prescription as soon as possible, and the supply documented. Supplying only a shorter duration or refusing in this scenario would unnecessarily jeopardize the patient’s health, and referral to hospital is not indicated for a routine emergency supply.