Services Database Emergency Supply Service

The Community Pharmacy Emergency Supply Service allows the emergency supply of a patient’s medicine at NHS expense in order to reduce the number of patients contacting urgent and emergency care providers. This may include both prescription only and other medicines usually obtained on prescription by the patient from their GP. The emergency supply provisions permit the supply of sufficient quantities of most prescription only medicines for up to 30 days treatment. For the purposes of this specification, the pharmacist would normally be expected to supply 28 days medication unless the pharmacist regards this as clinically or professionally inappropriate. Exceptions apply for inhalers and creams / ointments, where a manufacturer’s pack can be supplied. Schedule 1, 2 or 3 Controlled Drugs (except phenobarbitone or phenobarbitone sodium for epilepsy) cannot be supplied in an emergency. Quantities of other medicines should be in line with this.

The service can only be provided during the out of hours period (when GP practices are closed).

This service was completed on 5th January 2016.

The pharmacy contractor has a duty to ensure that pharmacists involved in the provision of the service have relevant knowledge and are appropriately trained in the operation of the service.