GOOD DISPENSING PRACTICE

“To know of something that is harmful to another person who

does not know, and not telling, is unethical”

Airene Barlin, RPh, MPH

FDRO II

GOOD DISPENSING PRACTICE

• ENSURES THAT THE RIGHT DRUG, IN THE RIGHT DOSAGE FORM INDICATED FOR THE PATIENT’S CONDITION, IS DELIVERED TO THE RIGHT PATIENT, IN THE PRESCRIBED DOSAGE AND QUANTITY WITH CLEAR INSTRUCTIONS AND IN A PACKAGE THAT MAINTAINTS THE POTENCY AND STABILITY OF THE DRUG

DISPENSING• Is an important part of pharmacy, in which

the pharmacist or the pharmacy aide (under the direct supervision of the pharmacist) interprets the physician’s requirements on the prescription and accordingly supplies for the treatment of his patient/s.

VARIOUS ACTIVITIES INVOLVED IN DISPENSING ARE

(1) DISPENSING ENVIRONMENT

• A good dispensing environment ensures that dispensing is carried out accurately and efficiently.

- this sections covers the following:

1. Prescription counter- (ideally the prescription counter should:)

> accessible to the patient

> be clean, orderly, attractive and marked with an identifying sign or symbol which can be easily identified and seen from other parts of the pharmacy

> have a waiting area for clients who wait for their prescription to be dispensed/filled

2. Waiting area

• Can be provided

what should an ideal waiting area provide:

> comfortable chairs/place to sit (at least for the elderly/disabled/sick patients to rest)

> current popular health magazines, and carefully material related to good health

> pamphlets and posters related to public, family and other individual health problems

REQUIREMENTS OF A GOOD DISPENSING ENVIRONMENT

The dispensing environment should:

1.BE CLEAN

2.BE ORGANIZED

3.HAVE A SUFFICIENT SPACE

4.TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY CONTROLLED

5.NO LOUD MUSIC PLAYING, GOSSIPING,TALKING OR TELEVISION

6.HAVE MEDICINES STORED IN AN ORGANIZED WAY ON SHELVES

“ A limited range of medicines will be used with greatest frequency, and these fast movers may be placed in the most accessible areas for speed and convenience of the dispensing staff or personnel”

BE CLEAN, GET ORGANIZED!! GIVE THE PHARMACY A PROFESSION LOOK

ADVANTAGE OF A GOOD DISPENSING ENVIRONMENT

• Reduces dispensing error• Reduces fatigue among pharmacy

staff• Enhances services• Improves the image of the pharmacy• Increases clientele• Increases speed• Creates a professional image

(2) HANDLING PRESCRIPTION

• Prescription handling is a part of the professional relationship between the prescriber, the pharmacist and the patient, it is the pharmacist’s responsibility in this relationship to fulfill the medication needs of the patient

2.1. Receiving the prescription- as clients come into the pharmacy, they must be made to feel attended to and comfortable

2.2. Reading the prescription and checking for the completeness and corrections

- After receiving the prescription, it is important for the pharmacist to read the prescription to verify whether (A) LEGALITY

1. it is legal and complete with respect to the various parts of the prescription, and therefore2. it can be dispensed, or not.

(B) LEGIBILITY- A brief examination of each

prescription should be made immediately upon receiving it from the patient to ascertain the legibility of various parts of the prescription.- every prescription should be read and understood thoroughly before attempting to dispense it. - every word, abbreviation, has a meaning ( in case of doubt, consult another pharmacist or the prescriber)

“ NEVER DISPENSE GUESS WORK”

(C) COMPLETENESS AND CORRECTNESS

- The prescription serves as a vehicle for communication from the licensed practitioner to the pharmacist about the pharmaceutical care of the patient

DETAILS TO BE CHECKED

1. Physician’s details

2. Patient’s details

3. Check the product details (includes)

- Name of the product, dosage form, strength/potency of the medicine, total amount to be dispensed, dosage and direction for use, frequency of administration

INFORMATION/COUNSELLING TO BE PROVIDED TO THE PATIENT

• LIST OF THINGS TO BE TOLD TO A PATIENT• What each medicine is for.• How to take each medicine, at what times, and how

many/much, before or after food.• How to use certain devices.• The instructions to be given for each medicine.

• The specific precautions to be taken with certain medicines.

• What side effects to expect. What to do in case side effects are experienced.

• What conditions should the medicines be stored under.

Thank you for your attention!