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Advance antibiotic supply — GPhC CRA MCQ

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ModeratePharmacy Law and EthicsAdvance antibiotic supplyGPhC CRA

A traveller with no current symptoms asks to buy amoxicillin to keep in case a chest infection develops abroad. There is no prescription or relevant PGD. What should the pharmacist do?

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Correct answer: EDecline supply and arrange assessment if antibiotic treatment becomes indicated

Decline supply and arrange assessment if antibiotic treatment becomes indicated: Amoxicillin is prescription only; speculative supply without assessment or lawful authority is inappropriate antimicrobial stewardship. Supply one course under the travel-related emergency-supply route and document it: Planned travel without immediate clinical need does not create authority for an OTC antibiotic sale. Supply half a course to reduce antimicrobial exposure during possible future illness: An incomplete unauthorised course is both unlawful and clinically unsafe. Supply one course after entering the request in the patient medication record: PMR documentation does not convert a POM into a pharmacy medicine. Supply one course after the traveller signs a self-treatment responsibility statement: A disclaimer cannot transfer prescribing responsibility or create lawful supply authority.

Reference: Human Medicines Regulations 2012: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2012/1916/contents; BNF: amoxicillin: https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/amoxicillin/