Repeat dispensing

Transcript

Repeat prescriptions account for approximately two thirds of all items dispensed in community pharmacy. The repeat dispensing service enables you to dispense regular medicines to suitable patients who have been issued batch prescriptions, without the involvement of the GP practice at the point of dispensing.

The key ethos behind repeat dispensing is not just the convenience of access to regular medicines. The role of the pharmacist in actively engaging with the patient is to make sure that the ongoing supply is safe and clinically appropriate.

All community pharmacies are required to offer NHS repeat dispensing as one of their essential services. And the Drug Tariff explains that pharmacists need to have undertaken appropriate learning in order to offer this service.

The learning resources and assessment you find here will ensure your knowledge and competence to deliver this essential service is up to date - helping you to communicate and collaborate confidently with local GP practices when setting up and providing an efficient repeat dispensing services.

This e-learning programme provides key information about repeat dispensing, practical implications of implementing the service and how to use electronic repeat dispensing. It is an interactive programme including videos, quizzes and reflective exercises.

Please note: This e-learning programme currently makes reference to paper and electronic repeat prescribing.  Pharmacies can and still do receive paper repeat dispensing prescriptions, so it is important to understand both processes.

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of all aspects of this learning programme you should be able to:

• describe what the NHS repeat dispensing service is and the rules and regulations governing the service
• explain how to provide a safe and efficient repeat dispensing service
• list nine key requirements of repeat dispensing
• explain repeat dispensing and its benefits to patients and assess whether the service is suitable for them
• compare and contrast paper-based and electronic repeat dispensing
• list the benefits and challenges associated with repeat dispensing from a prescriber, practice staff, pharmacy team and patient perspective.

At least two thirds of all prescriptions generated in primary care are for patients needing repeat supplies of regular medicines, and since 2005 repeat dispensing has been an Essential Service within the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework (CPCF).

This e-assessment is linked with the CPPE Repeat dispensing e-learning programme and assesses you on the programme’s learning outcomes.

Why should I do this assessment?

This e-assessment completes the learning you began with the CPPE Repeat dispensing e-learning programme. Access and successful completion will contribute to your own personal development plan, be recorded in your My CPPE record and will enable you to complete a revalidation record on the learning. It may also provide evidence for achieving competencies in the different competency frameworks that apply across your career.

This guidance enables prescribers and dispensers to use EPS effectively.

If you're a dispenser, find out about electronic repeat dispensing and how you could benefit from using it.