Controlled Drug supply under PGD set to expand
Diamorphine shortages have prompted the proposal for morphine supply
by PGD |
Proposals
to expand the range of Controlled Drugs that can be supplied or administered by pharmacists and nurses working under patient group directions (PGDs) have been published by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.
The consultation also contains proposals on changing the locations and
circumstances in which CDs can be supplied or administered for the purposes
of pain relief and on clarifying the position concerning the sale, as
well as supply, of products under PGDs.
Currently pharmacists can supply and administer all drugs in schedules
4 and 5 under a PGD. Nurses can, in addition, supply and administer diamorphine
(schedule 2) for cardiac pain in coronary care units and accident and
emergency departments.
The shortage of diamorphine and development of patient services away
from hospitals are cited as reasons for the proposals to allow nurses
and pharmacists to supply and administer morphine under PGDs. The consultation
also says that pharmacists are increasingly taking on new roles and their
knowledge of therapeutics supports the case for them being able to use
some schedule 2 CDs for pain relief in areas where there is a clinical
need but no immediate access to an independent prescriber. “Continuing
the current inconsistency between nurses’ and pharmacists’ ability
to provide pain relief under a PGD can no longer be justified and is
a barrier to improving patient services,” it says.
The MHRA is also seeking to amend an error in the 2003 amendments to
the POM Order that does not explicitly permit sale as well as free supply
under a PGD.
The consultation document makes it clear that neither the Home Office,
the Department of Health, nor the MHRA expects that the proposals will
lead to drug misuse or diversion.
The proposed changes would have effect in England, Scotland and Wales.
The consultation document is available online
|
The
Pharmaceutical Journal
Acrobat
Reader