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Pharmacy Act, 1974 (Act No. 53 of 1974)

Board Notices

Rules Relating to Good Pharmacy Practice

Chapter 2 : Professional Standard for Services

2.9 Minimum Standards for Record Keeping Procedures

 

Patient medication records must be kept in the pharmacy, except in institutional pharmacies where the pharmacist has access to the necessary information in the patient's medical/clinical records.

 

2.9.1 Patient medication records

 

(a) Patient medication records must be developed, preferably using computer technology.
(b) Patient medication records must respect the patient's privacy.
(c) The following information must be captured in a patient medication record:
(i) the full name of the patient;
(ii) the address and telephone number of the patient;
(iii) the patient's age or date of birth;
(iv) the patient's gender;
(v) current mass of the patient;
(vi) medical aid details;
(vii) the name of the prescriber and date of consultation;
(viii) a list of all medicines obtained (prescription as well as non-prescription) by the patient at the point of supply during the twelve-month period immediately preceding the date of dispensing;
(ix) the number allocated to each prescription dispensed and the date thereof;
(x) any known allergies of the patient;
(xi) any possible reactions of the patient towards medicine;
(xii) family history;
(xiii) idiosyncrasies or negative reactions of the patient towards medicine;
(xiv) the presence of other factors, e.g. smoking;
(xv) chronic conditions or disease states of the patient; and
(xvi) the identity of any other medicine or devices currently being used by the patient, and any related information indicated by a medical or other health care professional.
(d) Patient medication records must:
(i) be readily retrievable by manual or electronic means;
(ii) enable the pharmacist to identify medicine dispensed previously and known disease conditions; and
(iii) enable the pharmacist to determine the impact of medicine dispensed previously and known disease conditions upon the newly submitted prescription or other medicine sold or supplied to the patient.
(e) The pharmacist must ensure a system is in place to guarantee the confidentiality of data relating to individual patients.

 

2.9.2 Documentation of professional activities

 

Pharmacists must keep records of professional activities in a manner that allows access to information. Particular attention must be given to the following:

(a) The pharmacist must record all professional actions that might require confirmation in the future.
(b) Up-to-date records must be kept of prescriptions as discussed above.
(c) Any warning or precaution issued by professional institutions or authorised officials regarding medicines or pharmaceutical legislation must be recorded and complied with immediately.