Supplying+S8+medication+over+phone

=Supplying S8 medication over phone=

Ask the doctor if he/she can fax you a script and send you the hard copy within 24 hours

After making sure that the script is valid (with all the necessary details), the dose is safe for the patient and that the GP is registered in your state, you can dispense the medication and provide the patient with 2 days supply until you retain the original script

(2) A prescriber may, if of the opinion that good reason exists for doing so, give a prescription for a drug to a pharmacist by telephone, facsimile transmission or some other form of electronic transmission
 * Controlled Substances Regulations** **1996** (page 16)

(3) If, in accordance with subregulation (2), a prescription is given by telephone or by some form of electronic transmission (other than facsimile), the prescriber— (a) must give the pharmacist the following information: (i) his or her name and full address; and (ii) the full name and address of the person to whom the drug is to be supplied; and (iii) the name, dose form and (if relevant) the route of administration of the drug to be dispensed; and (iv) where applicable—the strength of the drug to be dispensed; and (v) the dose of the drug to be administered to the person for whom the drug is prescribed or to the animal in relation to which the drug is prescribed; and (vi) the total amount of the drug to be dispensed; and (vii) the frequency at which the drug is to be administered; and (b) must, immediately after giving the prescription by that method, complete a written prescription that— (i) clearly states that it is given in confirmation of the prescription given by telephone or by electronic transmission (as the case may be) on the particular date on which it was so given; and (ii) otherwise complies with these regulations; and (c) must— (i) where the prescription is for a drug of dependence, forward the written prescription to the pharmacist within 24 hours of giving the prescription by telephone or by electronic transmission; or (ii) in any other case, forward the written prescription to the pharmacist as soon as practicable after giving the prescription by that method.

Does the Poisons legislation allow you to provide an emergency supply of Schedule 8 medications without authorisation from the prescriber? A: No! Some graduates, at recent Registration Reviews, appeared confused about “emergency supply” of Schedule 8 medications. Schedule 8 medication may only be supplied on the authorisation of an eligible prescriber either by way of a valid prescription or by telephone, fax or email (in an emergency situation, pending receipt of a prescription). Without that authorisation, THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS EMERGENCY SUPPLY!
 * Pharmacy Board NSW - Newsletter**

A prescription for any Schedule 8 medication may only be dispensed if it meets all the legal requirements, which are neatly summarised for pharmacists in The Guild Guide to the Poisons Schedules. Where the prescription is not valid, “emergency supply” of Schedule 8 medications without further authorisation is not possible. However, where a prescription meets all legal requirements and there is no reason for suspecting the prescription is not genuine, a pharmacist may supply a sufficient quantity of the drug for up to 2 days’ treatment PENDING VERIFICATION. This “verification supply” is only appropriate where the prescription is valid but: 1. the pharmacist is unfamiliar with prescriber’s handwriting, or 2. the person for whom the drug has been prescribed is not known to the pharmacist, or 3. the pharmacist is unable to confirm the prescription with the purported prescriber.

The Board is concerned that the confusion demonstrated by some graduates may be a reflection of confusion among pharmacists. Are you, as a pharmacist, aware of all the requirements for storage, supply, and destruction of Schedule 8 drugs? You have a responsibility to ensure your knowledge of these requirements is current.

Resources
[|Pharmacy Board NSW - Newsletter] [|Controlled Substances Regulations 1996]