 Re: paracetamol syrup
The BNF states that where a pharmacist receives an incomplete prescription and the prescriber cannot be contacted; then providing that the pharmacist has sufficient information to make a professional judgement the preparation may be dispensed.
If the quantity is missing the pharmacist may supply sufficient to complete up to 5 days' treatment. The prescription must be endorsed ‘p.n.c.' (prescriber not contacted), the quantity, the dose, and the strength (where applicable) of the preparation supplied must be indicated, and the endorsement must be initialled and dated.
This is of course the official line, and in practice and would deal with the prescription in the same way as Lamzee. Dispense, attach a note for the GP, and get it changed when the surgery re-opens.
To not dispense in this situation, in my opinion, would be too extreme. As with all such situations you need to weigh up the risk-benefit balance. I personally feel that the benefits to the child outweigh the risks in this scenario.
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