Understand Medication and Prescriptions

Transcription

1 Workbook 1 Understand Medication and Prescriptions Accountability Storage Administration Prescription Supply Legislation Level 2 Certificate in Understanding the Safe Handling of Medicines 1 L4W 2013

2 Information that should be supplied with medication Please read the following as it will help you to answer question 14. Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) The information supplied with medication is very important. It is a requirement of the MHRA that all medicine is supplied with a PIL. This applies to all medicines, including those bought over-the-counter or from a pharmacist, and those supplied on prescription. PILs should even be supplied when medicines are provided in a Monitored Dosage System. This information should always be readily available to your service users. By law, the information which must be supplied with all medication includes: Ingredients this includes the active ingredients of the medicine, as well as the ingredients used to make the tablet/capsule coating or the flavour/colour of the liquid. Dosage and administration this describes the strength of the medicine and how frequently it should be taken. Indications (uses) this should identify what the drug can be used for (e.g. to manage asthma or to treat certain types of infection). Contra-indications these are situations when the medicine should not be taken, or things that should not be done when taking the medication, e.g. not drinking alcohol during the course of the medication (it may alter its effectiveness); not suitable for certain age groups (e.g. children under 12); or if the person has another condition (e.g. is pregnant or has diabetes). Special precautions any special precautions that should be taken in order that the medicine is effective (e.g. take with food, or take on an empty stomach) or for certain groups of people (e.g. regular monitoring needed in individuals with renal/ kidney failure). Side effects any undesirable effects that the medicine may produce in some people (e.g. a rash or drowsiness). Interactions any interactions (reactions between two products) that the medicine may have with other drugs, which could be dangerous or make the treatment less effective. What to do if too much of the medication is taken. 42 L4W 2013

3 PIL should be written in clear and understandable terms, that both you and your service users can easily read. It should also contain the manufacturer and Product Licence Holder s names and addresses. Electronic copies of some PILs are available at Data sheets and Summaries of Product Characteristics (SPCs) In addition to the PIL aimed at service users, companies are also required to produce a Data Sheet and SPC for each medicine. These are much more detailed information sheets for use by health professionals. Copies of data sheets and SPCs are available from the Manufacturer and are also available electronically at Medicine instructions The pharmacist has overall responsibility for checking the prescription and ensuring that it is written correctly. When the pharmacist dispenses medication against a valid authorised prescription, the container in which the medication is supplied must be clearly labelled. By law, the label of any prescribed medicines dispensed by a pharmacist must include ALL of the following information: the service user s full name the name of the medication the dosage and frequency of the medication (for example how much and how often it should be taken) the date of supply the route to be taken/administered any special instructions for administration (for example take with food ) any warnings or cautions (for example avoid alcohol ) directions for use expiry date name and address of supplier/pharmacy the wording keep out of reach of children 43

4 Why is it important to seek information from the individual about their medication and condition? Please read the following as it will help you to answer question 15. Service users can be very useful sources of information. They often know a lot about their own condition and the medicines they are taking. They may be able to give you valuable information relating to: their medical condition and whether it is getting better or worse medicines which have not worked in the past and any side effects they have experienced with particular medicines any allergic reactions they have experienced with particular medicines how they prefer to take their medicine Person-centred care is an important aspect of supporting service users with their medication, and ongoing assessment of the individual s needs is essential to ensure that the person is fully supported. Giving someone the opportunity to discuss their requirements and any concerns they have can go a long way in increasing service user participation. If service users are consulted about their concerns and preferences, they are more likely to comply with their medication regime. In addition, all care staff have a responsibility to monitor the effectiveness of medication and to report any undesired effects. A person s condition can change from day to day or even hour to hour. It is important to establish whether the individual is experiencing any changes in condition, as this may be further affected by the medication the individual is taking. If service users are not given the opportunity to discuss their medication requirements and condition, they could be taking medication unnecessarily. 44 L4W 2013

5 Knowledge Activity 11: What sources of information are available to you within your workplace? Well done! You have now completed Workbook 1 and should attempt the assessments. If you require any help or guidance please contact your Assessor/Tutor. Workbook 1 45

6 Classification Monitoring Disclaimer Every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained within this learning material is accurate and reflects current best practice. All information provided should be used as guidance only, and adapted to reflect local practices and individual working environment protocols. All legislation is correct at the time of printing, but is liable to change (please ensure when referencing legislation that you are working from the most recent edition/amendment). Neither Learning for Work (L4W); nor their authors, publishers or distributors accept any responsibility for any loss, damage or injury (whether direct, indirect, incidental or consequential) howsoever arising in connection with the use of the information in this learning material. Copyright 2013 All rights reserved. All material contained within this manual, including (without limitation): text; logos; icons; and all other artwork is copyright material of Learning for Work (L4W), unless otherwise stated. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise), without the prior permission of the copyright owners. If you have any queries, feedback or need further information please contact: Learning for Work (a trading arm of Learning at Work Ltd). Pure Offices, 1 Broad Gate, The Headrow, Leeds LS1 8EQ info@learning-work.co.uk L4W-SHMv5 January 2013