Royal Pharmaceutical Society Professional Support Bulletins

PSB 12: Children collecting dispensed medicines from a pharmacy

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Pharmacists may be asked to supply dispensed medicines to a child for themselves or on behalf of another person, such as a parent, other relative or neighbour.

The decision on whether a supply is appropriate will need to be dealt with on a case by case basis and will involve consid

PSB 11: Interim guidance on the sale and supply of unlicensed and unregulated electronic cigarettes by pharmacists and pharmacy premises

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 00:00:00 Z

Electronic cigarettes may resemble cigarettes and deliver nicotine to the user via inhalation. Currently these articles are not regulated as medicinal products and therefore do not have marketing authorisations as medicinal products. They are also not currently nominated as medical devices.

PSB 10: Dealing with requests for large quantities of medicines over the counter

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 00:00:00 Z

Community pharmacists frequently encounter requests for large quantities of medicines (Pharmacy (P) and General Sale Lists (GSL) medicines) over the counter.

There may be legal and professional restrictions on the maximum quantity that can be sold or supplied and it is advised that

PSB 9: Supplying over-the-counter analgesics

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 00:00:00 Z

You will already be aware that there are legal and professional restrictions on the quantities of over-the-counter (OTC) analgesic medicines that may be sold by pharmacists and appropriately trained support staff.

These restrictions are sometimes resented by patients, but it is important

PSB 8: Removal of the '3 year rule' restriction for registered pharmacists with a relevant European State pharmacy qualification

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 00:00:00 Z

As of the 4 November 2011, an amendment to the Medicines Act 1968 removed the "3 year rule" restriction and now allows a GPhC registered pharmacist who obtained their pharmacy qualification in a relevant European State to be a responsible pharmacist for a pharmacy premises which has bee

PSB 7: Guidance on the use of social media

Fri, 21 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0100

We encourage pharmacists and aspiring pharmacists who use social media* and social networking* to do so responsibly and with the same high standards which they would apply in real–world interactions.

In particular it is important to maintain proper professional boundaries in relati

PSB 6: Charitable donations of medicines and patient returns

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0100

The World Health Organization has published a document that provides detailed guidelines for the donation of medicines. This document has been widely endorsed by major health and charitable organisations including the International Committee of the Red Cross, Médecins Sans Frontière

PSB 5: Reminder regarding technical errors on controlled drug prescriptions

Fri, 05 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Where a prescription for a Schedule 2 or 3 Controlled Drug contains a minor typographical error or spelling mistake, or where either the words or figures (but not both) of the total quantity has been omitted, a pharmacist can amend the prescription indelibly so that it becomes compliant with cont

PSB 4: Interim guidance on the sale and supply of unlicensed and unregulated electronic cigarettes by pharmacists and pharmacy premises

Mon, 04 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0100

PSB 3: Reminder of the restrictions on the sale of products containing pseudoephedrine or ephedrine

Fri, 03 Jun 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Pharmacists are reminded that pseudoephedrine and ephedrine can be used in the illicit production of methylamphetamine. Due to this risk, pharmacists and their staff should continue to be alert to requests for large quantities and abnormally frequent requests for products containing pseudoephedri

PSB 2: Requests for large quantities of paracetamol over-the-counter

Sun, 01 May 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Pharmacists regularly receive requests from the public wanting to purchase large quantities of paracetamol over-the-counter (OTC). The following table is a summary of legal restrictions on the sale of paracetamol tables and capsules.

PSB 1: Witness protection and controlled drug prescriptions

Fri, 01 Apr 2011 00:00:00 +0100

The following has been prepared in consultation with the Home Office. Independent legal advice may be necessary depending upon the individual circumstances which can vary from case to case.

There are some patients where for legitimate reasons the address of the patient is protected from b