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Emergency supply and asthma review — GPhC CRA MCQ

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ModeratePharmacy LawEmergency supply and asthma reviewGPhC CRA

A 22-year-old man with asthma presents to the pharmacy asking to buy a salbutamol inhaler. He says he has run out and cannot get a GP appointment for two weeks. He has been using his salbutamol twice daily for the past month. He has no preventer inhaler. What is the most appropriate action?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

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Correct answer: B — Make an emergency supply of salbutamol and refer him urgently to the GP for asthma review

This patient is using a reliever inhaler daily without a preventer, indicating poorly controlled asthma. Salbutamol inhalers can be supplied under an emergency supply at the request of the patient under certain conditions. The patient should be strongly urged to see the GP for an urgent asthma review to start appropriate preventer therapy. Simply selling salbutamol without addressing the underlying poor control would not be appropriate pharmaceutical care. Beclometasone is not available OTC.

Reference: MEP; Human Medicines Regulations 2012; NICE NG80