| 2.12.1 |
Services relating to a specific patient |
| 2.12.1.1 |
Response to symptoms |
When called upon by a member of the public to advise on symptoms, the request must be dealt with by a pharmacist or another member of staff in the pharmacy who is appropriately registered with Council or is an appropriate health care professional. Where necessary, arrangements must be in place to ensure that an intervention by a pharmacist can be made at an appropriate stage. The following steps must be taken:
| (a) |
Sufficient information must be obtained to enable a proper assessment of the situation to be made. This should include information about who has the problem, what the symptoms are, how long the condition has persisted, any action that has already been taken, and which medicines the person concerned is already using. |
| (b) |
It must be decided whether the symptoms might be associated with a serious condition, and in such circumstances the patient must be referred for immediate medical advice. |
| (c) |
In the case of a minor self-limiting health problem, appropriate advice must be given and a medicine recommended only when necessary. |
| (d) |
The patient record must be updated, whether medicine has been supplied or not and the patient advised to consult a doctor should the symptoms persist beyond a stated time. |
| 2.12.1.2 |
Self-Care Products, including the supply of Schedule 0, Schedule 1 and Schedule 2 medicines |
| (a) |
The pharmacist must utilise experience to select medicines taking into account their quality, efficacy and safety. |
| (b) |
If a medicine is supplied, the pharmacist should do his/her best to ensure that the patient or caregiver has no doubts as to: |
| (i) |
the name (generic/trade) and physical description of the medicine; |
| (ii) |
intended use of the medicine and expected action; |
| (iii) |
route, dosage form, dosage and timing of administration; |
| (iv) |
any special directions or precautions for the preparation or administration of doses; |
| (v) |
duration of treatment; |
| (vi) |
any relevant drug/drug, drug/food, drug/alcohol interactions; |
| (vii) |
common severe side or adverse effects or interactions and therapeutic contra-indications that may be encountered, including their avoidance, and the action required if they occur; |
| (viii) |
techniques for self-monitoring of medicine therapy; |
| (ix) |
storage conditions; and |
| (x) |
action to be taken in the event of a dose not taken or in the event of an overdose. |
| (c) |
The supply of all medicine must be indicated in the patient's profile. |
| (d) |
For each type of health problem that can be treated within the framework of self-care, protocols for the action of pharmacist's assistants and members of staff who are not registered with Council must be established. |
| (e) |
The protocol must define when referral to a pharmacist is necessary. |
| (a) |
The pharmacist should assess the outcome of the therapy with the patient's cooperation. |
| (b) |
The pharmacist must advise the patient to consult a doctor if the symptoms persist beyond a stated time. |
Implementation of Geneva Conventions Act, 2012
