The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 275 No 7365 p281
3 September 2005

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· Research
· Wholesalers
· Original pack dispensing
· Controlled drugs
· Prescribing
· NICE
· Reciprocity
· Dermatology
· Birdsgrove House
· Registration examination (2)
· New pharmacy contract

Letters to the Editor

Original pack dispensing

May cause problems with emergency supply

From Mrs S. O. Howshall, MRPharmS

I welcome the news that at last we might see original pack dispensing (PJ, 27 August, p243). However, unless the code of ethics regarding emergency supply is changed, community pharmacists will find themselves out of pocket or with a patient unable to obtain such drugs.

If only sufficient can be dispensed to cover five days, a pharmacist may conclude it is too expensive to waste 23 days’ medication unless the patient is willing to only receive five days’ but pay for 28. Multiply this scenario by three, four or five for the hapless holidaymaker who has left all his drugs behind on a bank holiday and predict the accident and emergency departments will quickly become an attractive option for such a patient.

Susan Howshall
Wimborne, Dorset

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