Effective record keeping associated with the supply of medicines in compliance packs during a pandemic

Pharmacy type

Community

Pharmacy context

​Covid-19

Relevant standards

• 1.1 - The risks associated with providing pharmacy services are identified and managed

Why this is notable practice

The pharmacy is considering the risks associated with the supply of medicines to vulnerable people during the pandemic. And it has implemented a system to help manage these risks should pharmacy team members be required to self-isolate during the COVID-19 pandemic.

How the pharmacy did this

The pharmacy team had recognised that vulnerable people who received their medicines in multi-compartment compliance packs would be most affected if there was a local outbreak of COVID-19. The team had created a list of all the vulnerable people that it dispensed multi-compartment compliance packs for. This was in addition to its standard record keeping and so helped manage the risks associated with the service. The team recorded the people’s telephone numbers, emergency contact details, the name of their GP, an up-to-date medicine regimen and the date they should receive a new pack. This meant that should team members need to self-isolate due to the NHS test and protect programme (Scotland) other team members could easily pick up the work. With patient consent, the details could also be provided to another pharmacy to help them supply medicines for these people and therefore minimise any disruption.

What difference this made to patients

The pharmacy is considering the needs of its most vulnerable customers when updating business continuity arrangements. This means people can continue to receive their medicines safely in the event the pharmacy team were directly affected by the virus.