Pharmacies Decide Whether to Provide Prescriptions Ahead of Bank Holiday

David Webb, England’s chief pharmaceutical officer, has advised pharmacies to exercise their “professional discretion” in the selection process regarding their choice to administer opioid replacement prescriptions ahead of the upcoming bank holiday.

According to Mr. Webb, pharmacists should keep track of any prescriptions for opioid substitution treatment (OST) that have the Home Office’s approval and conduct necessary arrangements if they do.

It is important to understand that not all prescriptions will automatically include the instruction to dispense before Monday’s impromptu bank holiday.

“We recognise that this client group are often vulnerable with multi-morbidities and that the risk to them may be significant. You should exercise your professional discretion in determining when to make an instalment supply for the Bank Holiday Monday.”

“Make the care of the patient your first priority and consider the potential impact of both making the supply in advance and of not making the supply in your decision-making process. The exceptional circumstances that led to the Bank Holiday and its short notice may inform your decision.”

When a pharmacy determines that it is “professionally appropriate” to dispense the prescription prior to Monday, they should get the prescriber’s approval, document the choice in the patient’s file, and think about providing each dose in individual vessels.

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