Services Database Community Pharmacy Dispensing Service for the Community Optometry Minor Eye Conditions (MEC) Service (Halton Area)

The optometrist will refer the patient to a community pharmacy providing the service               by providing the patient with a signed order for one or more of the medicines listed in Appendix 2.

This section refers to the pharmacist. Support staff trained to the relevant GPhC standards may participate in the dispensing process.

• The pharmacist will dispense the medication(s) requested by the registered optometrist, undertaking the standard clinical and accuracy checks.
• The pharmacist must maintain a record of the supply in the pharmacies patients’ medical record and label any medication supplied in line with legal requirements.
• The signed order should be kept for two years after supply.
• For any POM products dispensed, the pharmacist must make a record of the supply in the prescription-only register.
•  Patients exempted from prescription charges should be asked to complete the declaration on the signed order form.
• Patients who pay for their prescriptions should be charged the standard prescription charge.
• When a patient pays for their prescriptions the pharmacy must provide any requested GSL or P product to the patient as a retail sale if this would be cheaper for the patient. The pharmacist should be satisfied that the product is being used for a licensed over the counter condition. Where the pharmacist cannot confirm the condition being treated or if the condition is outside of the over counter license this should be provided via the signed order and the relevant prescription charges paid.
• The pharmacy must have a system to check the person’s eligibility for NHS prescription charge exemption and will collect NHS charges where appropriate. Where a patient does not have proof of exemption on them the pharmacist must use their professional discretion in deciding whether to provide the medication free of charge.
• The pharmacist must counsel the patient on how to use their medication in the same way they would do for patient presenting with a prescription. See Key counselling points for eye preparations (Appendix 3).
• Make the appropriate entry on the PharmOutcomes platform.
• The pharmacy contractor must have a standard operating procedure (SOP) in place for this service.
• For pharmacies participating in an NHS funded minor ailments scheme patients presenting with a signed order must not be converted to the minor ailments scheme and this will be monitored.
• Only medication listed in Appendix 1 and presented on a template signed order (Appendix 4) can be provided on this scheme. Appendix 1 may be subject to variation by the commissioner from time to time to allow for changes in the formulary and contractors will be notified of this.