Non-prescription supply of medicines (2)

Question 1

What is a patient group direction (PGD)?

Answer 1

Written instructions for the supply or administration of med to a pre-defined group of patients who may not be individually identified before presentation for treatment

Question 2

PGDs are appropriate in situations when using it offers an advantage for patient care without compromising patient safety

Name a few situations when this holds true (when PGDs are essentially useful) 4

Answer 2

• Medicine use follows a predictable pattern
• Patients seek unscheduled care
• supplying/administering med for a discreet treatment episode
• Homogenous patient group

Question 3

PGD medicines still:
1 ) Have the same labelling requirements as any med
2) Require a PIL
3) Have the same prescription charges + exemptions (eg pandemic event)
4) who do prescription charges not apply?

Answer 3

Medicines ADMINISTERED under a PGD (eg. flu jab)

Question 4

When setting up a PGD, a proposal must have all the info necessary such as? Name a few

Answer 4

title of PGD
details of those involved in developing pgd
conditions treated
benefits and risks
detail of medicine supplied/administered
healthcare professionals working under pgd

Question 5

To authorise a PGD, which 3 signatures must be present and which two healthcare professionals must be involved?

Answer 5

signed on behalf of authorising body
signed my doctor/dentist
signed by pharmacist

Pharmacist, doctor/dentist

Question 6

Before working under a PGD, healthcare professionals must ensure:

Answer 6

• they have undertaken appropriate training
• been assessed as competent + authorised to practise
• Have signed appropriate documentation
• use the most recent, in-date, signed PGD
• Read and understood content of PGD

Question 7

Some medicines must be included with cautions in PGDs such as antimicrobials and black listed meds.

Which meds cant be under PGD? 5

Answer 7

• Unlicensed meds
• meds needing frequent dosing adjustments/monitoring
• dressing/ appliances/ devices
• radiopharmaceuticals
• special manufactured meds

Question 8

Which CDs can be used in PGDs

Answer 8

• sch2: Morphine + Diamorphine (immediate treatment of sick/injured by pharm/nurse
• sch3: Midazolam
• sch4: NOT anabolic steroids + injectables for addiction
• sch5: all

Question 9

How long do PGD documents have to be kept for:
Adults
children
Dead children

Answer 9

adults: 8 yrs
Children: till 25 yrs
Dead children: 8 years after death