RPS publishes updated version of MEP guide for pharmacists

The latest version of ‘Medicines, Ethics and Practice (MEP) — the professional guide for pharmacists’ has been published by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS), and includes a long list of updates.

Additions to the publication, now in its 39th edition, include guidance around new legislation on drug driving and the supply of salbutamol inhalers to schools, following a change in the law enabling them to hold stocks.

There are also new sections on dispensing valproate for girls and women, in light of new guidance from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) earlier this year; on the use of multi-compartment compliance aids; and on how long pharmacy records should be retained.

MEP 39 will be distributed with the 18 July 2015 issue of The Pharmaceutical Journal and will be available online for members from 20 July 2015 via the RPS website.

The RPS Support team wrote MEP 39, guided by feedback from members and a 25-strong panel of pharmacists from across the profession.

“The new edition provides practical advice to enable pharmacists to meet legislative and good practice requirements that have come into effect over the past year,” says Katie Perkins, lead author of MEP.

“As a result of feedback from members and the work of the advisory panel throughout the year, MEP 39 also strives to provide further clarification on many different scenarios that pharmacists face in their day-to-day practice, offering as much information as possible to help them exercise their professional judgement. MEP 39 continues to support pharmacists with their decision-making, ensuring a patient-centred approach at all times.”

Guidance on new legislation

The RPS Support team has made a number of updates and amendments to existing sections in response to changing standards and legislation.

Updated sections include medicines optimisation and pharmaceutical care, social media and developing leadership, in line with the RPS leadership development framework.

There is new information on ulipristal acetate within guidance on oral emergency contraceptives, updates to the controlled drugs that podiatrist and physiotherapist independent prescribers may prescribe and clarification on repeatable prescriptions.

Signposting for pharmacist prescribers has been added to the section on self-prescribed prescriptions and those for close friends and family.

Information on requests for poisons and chemicals has been updated in light of changes to the Poisons Act, and examples of reporting adverse events have been added to highlight the value of the MHRA’s yellow card scheme.

Around veterinary medicines, there is an update to prescription requirements for Schedule 2 and 3 controlled drugs, and guidance and signposting to information on wholesale dealing.

Changes to the legal classification of ketamine, which will come into force later in 2015, are explained.

The publication also contains updated guidance on obtaining controlled drugs, including information on standardised form requirements that come into effect later in 2015, and updated requirements for midwife supply orders.

With regards to prescription requirements for Schedule 2 and 3 controlled drugs, there is updated information to reflect changes to legislation affecting temazepam and the electronic prescribing of controlled drugs.

Professional standards are updated with information on the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) and RPS joint statement, ‘Using standards and guidance to ensure patient-centred professionalism in the delivery of care’, and revised information on the ‘Professional standards for hospital pharmacy services’ and ‘Professional standards for homecare services’ documents.

MEP 39 continues to include standards and guidance from the GPhC, with its permission.

For more information on obtaining a copy, please see this notice.