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Osteoporosis calcium interaction — GPhC CRA MCQ

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HardMusculoskeletal TherapeuticsOsteoporosis calcium interactionGPhC CRA

A regular patient with epilepsy requests an emergency supply of phenobarbital after losing their medicines while away from home. Immediate need, previous prescribing and the dose are verified, and a prescription cannot be obtained without undue delay. Which statement is legally correct in Great Britain?

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Correct answer: D — A patient-request emergency supply may be made under the specific phenobarbital-for-epilepsy exception if every condition is met

Regulation 225 normally excludes controlled drugs from patient-request emergency supply, but expressly permits phenobarbital or phenobarbital sodium when supplied for epilepsy and the other statutory conditions are satisfied. A photograph of an old prescription is not the legal gateway. The exception does not extend to all Schedule 2 or 3 drugs. The pharmacist must still satisfy immediate need, impracticability of obtaining a prescription, previous prescribing and dose requirements, and must complete the required record and emergency-supply labelling.

Reference: Human Medicines Regulations 2012, regulation 225. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2012/1916/regulation/225