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Consent and capacity — GPhC CRA MCQ

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HardPharmacy Law and EthicsConsent and capacityGPhC CRA

An adult with delirium fluctuates between clear and confused periods. During a lucid conversation they understand the purpose and risks of a newly prescribed sedative, retain and weigh the information, and consistently refuse delivery. Their adult child insists that the prescription proves the medicine must be supplied. What should the pharmacist do?

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Correct answer: E — Respect the refusal, document the decision and concerns, and liaise with the care team if clinically necessary

Capacity is decision- and time-specific. On the facts given, the patient can understand, retain, use or weigh, and communicate the relevant decision, so the capacitous refusal must be respected even if others regard it as unwise. A relative has no automatic power to override it. Covert administration or best-interests supply requires a proper incapacity and best-interests process, while a single decision does not determine capacity for all medicines or all future times.

Reference: Mental Capacity Act 2005 Code of Practice. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mental-capacity-act-code-of-practice