Dispensação de medicamentos

Summary

This course on pharmacy dispensing emphasizes the crucial role of pharmacists in ensuring safe and effective medication usage. The lesson covers key topics such as how to read prescriptions, the importance of medication dispensing, and the responsibility of pharmacists to provide proper guidance to patients. It highlights the legal aspects of prescriptions, the regulations surrounding controlled substances, and the rules for substituting medications. The lesson also explains the concept of interchangeability between brand-name, generic, and similar drugs, ensuring patients understand their options while prioritizing safety and accuracy in dispensing.

Takeaways

• 😀 Medication dispensing is not just about handing over the medication, but also providing guidance on its correct, safe, and rational use.
• 😀 Dispensers should educate patients on the correct dosage, timing, treatment duration, and potential interactions with other medications or food.
• 😀 Dispensing is part of the broader healthcare process, and it is an opportunity to ensure safe use of prescribed medications.
• 😀 Always verify any prescription uncertainties with the prescribing physician to avoid medication errors and health risks.
• 😀 A prescription should contain essential information such as patient details, medication name, dosage, instructions, and the prescriber's information.
• 😀 Controlled medications require special attention and must be dispensed by licensed pharmacists only.
• 😀 Antibiotics have a validity period of 10 days on the prescription, and prescriptions for these must be legible, with no errors or alterations.
• 😀 Medications can be exchanged under certain conditions, including biodiscovery and bioequivalence tests, but only when the patient agrees to the switch.
• 😀 Generics and reference drugs can be interchanged, but generics cannot be swapped with other generics or similar medications without proper bioequivalence testing.
• 😀 Some medications, such as biologics, insulins, and vitamins, cannot be interchanged due to their specific properties and lack of bioequivalence testing.
• 😀 Pharmacists are responsible for managing controlled substances, and the key to storing and dispensing them safely must not be delegated.

Q & A

What is the role of the pharmacy assistant during the medication dispensing process?

The pharmacy assistant is responsible for dispensing medications, but more importantly, they should also provide guidance to the patient on the correct, safe, and rational use of the medication. This includes explaining dosage, timing, treatment duration, potential interactions with other medications or food, and proper storage.

Why is the moment of medication dispensing crucial in patient care?

Medication dispensing is a critical part of healthcare because it offers an opportunity to provide essential instructions to the patient. It is the last point of contact with a healthcare professional before the patient begins treatment, allowing the identification and correction of potential issues, and reducing the risks associated with incorrect medication use.

What information should be included in a medical prescription?

A prescription should contain the establishment's identification, the patient's personal details (name, age, gender, contact), the prescribed medication's name, concentration, pharmaceutical form, dose, frequency, treatment duration, quantity, and any specific instructions or additional guidance for proper medication use.

What is the legal importance of a prescription?

A prescription is a legal document and must be legible without any alterations. It is the responsibility of those who prescribe, dispense, and administer the medication to ensure the accuracy and legality of the prescription to avoid errors and harm.

What makes controlled medications different from other medications?

Controlled medications are subject to special regulations due to their potential for misuse. These medications require a specific type of prescription and can only be dispensed by a pharmacist, with strict record-keeping requirements for dispensing and tracking. Controlled substances are identified by special markings on their packaging.

How do antibiotics differ in terms of prescription and dispensing?

Antibiotics are prescribed with a common prescription form, and the prescription is valid for 10 days. They can be dispensed in quantities for up to 30 days, but they must be recorded in two copies, with specific details like the date of dispensing, quantity, and batch number. These records should be signed by a pharmacist.

What are the guidelines for medication interchangeability?

Medications are interchangeable if they are bioequivalent and have the same efficacy and safety profiles. This applies to reference drugs, generics, and similar drugs that have passed bioequivalence and biodisponibility tests. However, generics cannot be swapped with other generics or non-interchangeable similar drugs.

Can generics and branded medications be exchanged freely?

Yes, generics can be substituted for branded medications (reference drugs), provided they meet the required bioequivalence and biodisponibility standards. However, generics cannot be substituted for similar drugs unless the latter has passed the necessary tests.

What medications are not interchangeable under any circumstances?

Certain medications, such as biologics, insulin, hormones, and vitamins, cannot be interchanged due to their specific formulations, mechanisms of action, or therapeutic roles. These medications require strict adherence to the original prescription.

Why is it important to read and understand a prescription accurately?

Accurate reading and understanding of a prescription are crucial to ensure that the correct medication is dispensed in the right dosage and form. Any mistakes or misunderstandings can lead to serious health risks for the patient.