Outcome 5 (Drugs Used In Medicine)

Question 1

1. What are the key responsibilities of a hospital pharmacist?

Answer 1

• Dispensing limited supplies of drugs to hospital patients, and on their discharge from hospital
• give advice to clinicians regarding contraindications and the most appropriate form of medication (inhalers, ointments, injections etc)
• Ensure that any combinations of medication prescribed are compatible
• some pharmacists will ready-make medicines if not available

Question 2

2. What are the key responsibilities of a community pharmacist?

Answer 2

• Same as hospital pharmacist but additionally:
• keeping a register of controlled drugs for legal and stock
• liaising with doctors about prescriptions
• managing, supervising and training pharmacy staff
• budgeting and finance
• keeping up to date with pharmacy practice and new drugs
• operating a needle exchange

Question 3

3. What other responsibilities might a community pharmacist undertake?

Answer 3

• selling OTC medicines
• advising public on treatment of minor ailments
• advising of adverse side affects or potential interactions of drugs
• preparing dosette and cassette boxes with days of the week, usually for the elderly or people with learning difficulties
• undertaking Medicine Use Reviews (MUR) which helps patients understand why and how they need to take their medicines
• providing a prescription intervention service
• measuring and fitting compression hosiery
• monitoring blood and cholesterol levels
• offering a diabetes screening service
• arranging the delivery of prescription medicines to patients

Question 4

4. What are the two main acts of Parliament that instructs on the production, storage and prescribing of drugs?

Answer 4

Medicines Act 1968

Misuse Of Drugs Act 1971

Question 5

5. What are the three categories the Medicines Act 1968 divides drugs into?

Answer 5

GSL (General Sales Licence) : may be bought in limited supplies and doses from any shop, but must be supplied in a childproof container

P (Pharmacy) : available without prescription but only from a pharmacist

POM (Prescription Only Medicine) : available only from a pharmacist when prescribed by an appropriate practitioner

Question 6

6. Under what circumstances is possession of a POM an offence?

Answer 6

If the holder has no prescription, the drug is also controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (and therefore is an offence to hold it)

Question 7

7. What three categories are drugs divided into by the MODA?

Answer 7

Class A : including heroin, ecstasy, cocaine, methamphetamines, LSD and psilocybin mushrooms

Class B : including amphetamines, codeine, cannabis and methylphenidate

Class C : including gammahydroxybutrate (GHB), ketamine, diazepam, many tranquillisers, sleeping tablets and anabolic steroids

Question 8

8. What is the further categorisation to MODA implemented in 2001 regarding possession and supply?

Answer 8

Schedule 1: drugs that have no medical value (ie hallucinogens which are primarily used in research)

Schedules 2-5: contain the other regulated drugs. These could fall into class A, B or C but may also fall into one of the Schedules for legitimate medical use. An example is morphine, which is a class A drug and falls into Schedule 2 when supplied lawfully.

Question 9

9. What are the 3 main drug periodicals in the UK, which give up to date information regarding drugs and medical dressings licensed for use?

Answer 9

BNF (British National Formulary)
MIMS (Monthly Index of Medical Specialties)
BP (British Pharmacopoeia)

Question 10

10. What is a drug’s generic name?

Answer 10

The name of the chemical constituents (active ingredients) of the drug itself. Often written in lower case, and should be on all medicine containers

Question 11

11. What is a drug’s proprietary name?

Answer 11

The name given to the chemical constituents by the drug manufacturer for marketing purposes- the trade name. E. G. Viagra (its generic name is sildenafil)

Question 12

12. Anaesthetic

Answer 12

For removal of feeling

Question 13

13. Analgesic

Answer 13

Relief of pain

Question 14

14. Antacid

Answer 14

Drug to neutralise stomach acid

Question 15

15. Antibiotic

Answer 15

Kills bacteria

Question 16

16. Anticoagulant

Answer 16

Reduces blood clots

Question 17

17. Antidepressant

Answer 17

Lifts the patient’s mood

Question 18

18. Anti-emetic

Answer 18

Reduces nausea/ vomiting

Question 19

19. Antihistamine

Answer 19

Reduces the production of histamine

Question 20

20. Antihypertensive

Answer 20

Reduces blood pressure

Question 21

21. Anti-inflammatory

Answer 21

Reduces inflammation

Question 22

22. Antipyretic

Answer 22

Reduces fever/ temperature

Question 23

23. Antitussic

Answer 23

Reduces cough

Question 24

24. Bronchodilator

Answer 24

Dilate the bronchial tubes (to treat asthma)

Question 25

25. Chemotherapy

Answer 25

Toxic drugs that kill malignant cells

Question 26

26. Contraceptive

Answer 26

Prevents conception

Question 27

27. Decongestant

Answer 27

Relieves congestion of mucus

Question 28

28. Diuretic

Answer 28

Increases the production of urine

Question 29

29. Expectorant

Answer 29

Liquid drug that forces coughing of secretions from respiratory tract

Question 30

30. Hypnotic

Answer 30

Used to induce natural sleep

Question 31

31. Myotics

Answer 31

To constrict the pupil of the eye

Question 32

32. Narcotic

Answer 32

Derived from opium to induce a deep sleep

Question 33

33. Prophylactic

Answer 33

Substance used to prevent disease

Question 34

34. Proton Pump Inhibitor

Answer 34

Inhibits the production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach

Question 35

35. Sedatives

Answer 35

Used to lower function

Question 36

36. Statins

Answer 36

Used to lower cholesterol levels in the blood

Question 37

37. Steroids

Answer 37

Contain hormones

Question 38

38. Tranquilliser

Answer 38

Reduces anxiety