Pharmacy type
Community
Pharmacy context
COVID-19
Relevant standards
- 4.2 - Pharmacy services are managed and delivered safely and effectively
Why this is notable practice
The pharmacy is reviewing whether people continue to need their medicines dispensed into multi-compartment compliance packs during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is doing this to manage the increased workload during the COVID-19 pandemic safely. And is discussing any required changes with people.
How the pharmacy did this
The pharmacy’s dispensing workload had increased considerably due to the pandemic and it had fewer dispensing staff than usual as one was shielding. A dispensing assistant that was shielding at home contacted each of the compliance pack patients and asked whether they had anyone living with them that could help them take their medicines directly from the original packs. Some people agreed to have their medicines supplied in original packs as they had support from family members at home. The pharmacy continued to supply compliance packs if it identified any concerns about people being supplied with original packs. And it planned to reassess the need for people to have their medicines supplied in compliance packs when the dispensing workload and staffing situation returned to normal levels.
What difference this made to patients
The pharmacy has contacted people to ask if they have been able to take their medicines from the original packs and the feedback has been positive. Medicines are supplied on time and the workload is manageable.
Highlighted standards
We have identified the standards most likely and least likely to be met in inspections, and highlighted examples of notable practice for each of these standards; to help everyone learn from others and to support continuous improvement: