Services Database Immediate Access to Emergency Drugs

Aims and objectives of service
To improve access for people to these specialist medicines when they are required by
ensuring prompt access and continuity of supply.
To support users, carers, and clinicians by providing them with up-to-date information and
advice, and referral where appropriate.

Service outline
The pharmacy holds the specified list of medicines required to deliver this service and will
dispense these in response to prescriptions presented.
HWE ICB may review the drugs list to add additional items by providing one month’s
notice.
The pharmacy contractor has a duty to make best endeavours to ensure pharmacists and
staff (including locums) involved in the provision of the service have relevant knowledge
and are appropriately trained in the operation of the service.

The pharmacy should maintain appropriate records to ensure effective ongoing service
delivery and audit.

The pharmacy contractor has a duty to ensure that pharmacists and staff involved in the
provision of the service are aware of and operate within local protocols.

The pharmacy must demonstrate how they will fulfil accessibility requirements and inform
HWE ICB.

The ICB will provide a framework for the recording of relevant service information for the
purposes of audit and the claiming of payment including to cover costs for the replacement
of out of date drugs at Drug Tariff price. This will be through the web-based tool
PharmOutcomes (see Appendix 2).

The pharmacy must be able to provide an immediate response (within one working day) to
HWE ICB when requested, to outbreaks and emergency situations.

HWE ICB will agree with local stakeholders the medicines formulary and stock levels
required to deliver this service. As the commissioner HWE ICB can delegate to staff the
right to check whether the stock is available at a pharmacy. HWE ICB will reimburse
pharmacy contractors for expired stock included within Appendix 1 following request via
PharmOutcomes.

HWE ICB will regularly review the formulary to ensure that the formulary reflects the
availability of new medicines and changes in practice or guidelines. Ideas for developing
this are welcomed from pharmacists.

HWE ICB will need to provide details of relevant referral points which pharmacy staff can
use to signpost service users who require further assistance.

HWE ICB will disseminate information on the service to other pharmacy contractors and
health care professionals in order that they can signpost clients to the service.

The pharmacy contractor has a duty to ensure that pharmacists and staff (including locums) involved in the provision of the service have relevant knowledge in the operation of the service and act within local protocols.