What is Dispensing of Drugs?

Definition:

Dispensing means the interpretation, evaluation, supply and implementation of a prescription, drug order, including the preparation and delivery of a drug or device to a patient or patient’s agent in a suitable container appropriately labeled for subsequent administration to, or use by, a patient.

Dispensing/Supply of Drugs:

(a) The various activities of dispensing (prescription assembly) like removal of drugs from the packing, filling the prescription etc. may be performed under the super-vision of a registered pharmacist by any person who has been trained to perform these activities. However, the actual dispensing of drugs to patients shall only be performed by the Registered pharmacist after due verification of the prescription filled by others.

(b) A Registered pharmacist shall undertake a pharmaceutical assessment of every prescription presented for dispensing. For the purpose of the act, pharmaceutical assessment is defined as the point at which Registered pharmacist applies his knowledge to establish the safety, quality, efficacy and rational use of drugs treatments specified by a prescriber.

(c) Patient confidentiality shall be maintained at all times.

(d) Appropriate information shall be provided to the patient or the care giver and, where possible, understanding of this information should be checked.

(e) For all prescriptions handled by the pharmacy:

• Patient details shall be checked and confirmed;
• Pharmaceutical assessment shall be made;
• Proper documentation shall be maintained.

(f) Assessment of the prescription should include but not be limited to assessment of whether :

• The prescription is legally valid.
• The prescription includes an appropriate dosage form and appropriate route of administration.
• Prescription is appropriate to the patient’s condition.
• Duration of treatment is correct.
• Prescription is appropriate according to patient’s para-meters (age, weight etc.) and previous medication.
• Prescription is compatible with other medications.
• Prescription is consistent with formulary and guidelines, if any.
• Possibility of side effects and ad-verse drug reactions exist.
• Contra-indicated.
• Potential for misuse and inappropriate use of the medicines in prescription by patient exists.
• Prescription is complying with labeling requirements.

(g) Compounding, dispensing and labeling of required drug products should ensure that

• The drug product matches the prescription.
• The drug product has not expired.
• The drug product is appropriately compounded (if necessary), packed and labeled appropriately.
• The accuracy of dispensing is checked by Registered Pharmacist.
• Proper documentation is made.

(h) Delivery of the drug product to the patient/carer is done in such a way as to ensure that:

• The Registered pharmacist hands over the drug to the patient/carer.
• Appropriate information on drugs is provided to the patient/ carer.