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Confidentiality neighbour query — GPhC CRA MCQ

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ModeratePharmacy Law and EthicsConfidentiality neighbour queryGPhC CRA

A neighbour asks whether a named patient has collected antidepressants, saying only that they have not seen the patient recently. The neighbour is not involved in care. What should the pharmacist do?

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

Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: C — Receive the concern, disclose nothing and assess whether escalation is justified

Receive the concern, disclose nothing and assess whether escalation is justified: Even confirming attendance or collection discloses confidential information; concerns can be received without disclosure and serious risk can justify proportionate escalation. Confirm collection while withholding the antidepressant name and prescribed dose: Confirmation that the person uses the pharmacy is itself confidential information. State that no medicine was collected and record the neighbour’s concern: A false denial is still an inappropriate response and may itself imply access to confidential records. Show the PMR after documenting the neighbour as a temporary proxy: Concern does not confer legal authority to inspect the patient’s record. Telephone the patient and discuss adherence while the neighbour remains present: This would disclose information and fail to protect privacy.

Reference: GPhC standards for pharmacy professionals: https://assets.pharmacyregulation.org/files/standards_for_pharmacy_professionals_may_2017_0.pdf