The friend who wants an early repeat

Introduction

Pharmacy staff serve people they know: family, neighbours, friends. Most of the time that is a strength. Sometimes it is a pressure. This scenario is about a small favour that was not small.

What happened?

A dispensing assistant's friend came in to collect his monthly prescription for a sleeping tablet. It was not due for another two weeks and the surgery had not issued it. He said he was going away and asked if she could 'sort it'.

She did not want to let him down. She found his previous prescription on the system, printed a label from it, dispensed a month's supply, and put a note in the till drawer saying she would 'square it up' when the next prescription came in. The pharmacist was in the consultation room and did not check the item. The friend left with the medicine.

The pharmacist noticed the stock discrepancy two days later during a routine check and traced it to the label.

What was the concern?

• A prescription-only medicine was supplied without a valid prescription. That is unlawful, whatever the intention.
• The item was dispensed and handed out without the pharmacist's check.
• A record was created that did not reflect what had happened.
• The sleeping tablet is a medicine with a risk of dependence. An early supply may have been exactly what the surgery would have refused.
• The assistant let a personal relationship override a professional rule.

What was the outcome?

In this scenario the pharmacist reported the supply as an incident, contacted the surgery, and spoke to the patient. The assistant was honest about what she had done and why. The employer treated it as a serious matter, gave her a written warning and retraining on the legal categories of medicines, and reviewed how stock checks and till notes were used. She kept her job. The pharmacist also had a conversation with the team about how to say no to people they know.

What can we learn?

1. A prescription-only medicine needs a valid prescription. There are no favours.
2. If you cannot say no to a friend, say 'I will ask the pharmacist'. That takes the decision out of your hands.
3. Never create a record, label or note that does not reflect what really happened. Honesty in records is the foundation of everything else.
4. The people you know deserve the same rules as everyone else, because the rules are what keep them safe.
5. If a friend or relative puts you under pressure, tell the pharmacist. It protects you both.

Relevant pharmacy practice

Prescription-only medicines may only be supplied against a valid prescription or under another lawful route such as an emergency supply, which is a decision for the pharmacist. The GPhC standards for pharmacy professionals require honesty and integrity, and professional judgement that puts the patient's interests first. Pharmacy owners apply the same expectations to unregistered staff through their SOPs and contracts.

PPets learning connection

Legal categories of medicines, emergency supply and professional boundaries are covered in the Level 2 Certificate. This scenario suits a reflective account on honesty and integrity.

Record this as CPD

Registered pharmacy technicians can use this article towards GPhC revalidation, as an unplanned CPD entry or as the starting point for a reflective account. Pharmacy assistants and trainees can use it as evidence of reflective practice. Note down three things:

1. What you learned from this article
2. How you have applied it, or will apply it, in your own role
3. The benefit to the people who use your pharmacy's services

Sources and further reading

• GPhC standards and guidance for pharmacy professionals

Related from PPets

• Level 2 Certificate for pharmacy support staff

This article is for general educational purposes only. It is not legal advice, professional regulatory advice or clinical advice about an individual patient. Always follow your pharmacy's SOPs and check current official guidance and product information.

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