Dispensing Exam

[The Drug Man]

Hi all

I just wanted any last minute tips regarding the dispensing exam. We had our mock last week and I failed. Silly labeling error but it has really knocked my confidence.

Just wondered if any of the experience guys had any tips to get through it.

Cheers

The Drug Man

[TigerSwift]

Do you have any feedback from your previous dispensing classes? Do they give you self marking sheets for your prescriptions after the class? If so, it could be worth going through all your previous scripts and making an error-log (list of errors you've made, and why you made them) so you can focus on those you make most often.

Go and read up about things you make regular mistakes on, such as the regulations for a label.

[Fleegle]

Make sure your CD scripts are exactly right. Double, even triple check your calculations and any weighing, topping to volume, labelling etc. that you do. These ones are critical, and have to be done correctly to ensure a pass. Also watch Rx dates..don't dispense if expired (a classic trick).

Best of luck,

Fleeg.

[johnep]

I failed my dispensing exam where we had to prepare Tolu syrup (was1956) because I forgot to allow for the specific gravity. Meant an extra year at college to retake, in meantime I passed Ph.C at the christmas and used to put up my cert during dispensing classes.
johnep

[Nik]

We have an error log book which we are expected to fill after each of our dispensing sessions which helps us to see where we go wrong. Even writing down your mistakes, why you think they happened and what you could do to prevent it happening again is a great thing to prepare before the exam.
Simple labelling errors will disappear if you follow a specific SOP when checking.

[Msocpharm]

Is it true to assume that for any type of prescription, the max days of supply is 28 days or is it professionally 30. When ever I get scripts, I am always unsure on how to make sure the patient isn't getting too much medicine.

[Nik]

Is it true to assume that for any type of prescription, the max days of supply is 28 days or is it professionally 30. When ever I get scripts, I am always unsure on how to make sure the patient isn't getting too much medicine.

I think you are mixing up normal NHS prescriptions with those for Schedule 2/3/4 CD's where prescribers are encouraged to restrict supply to 30 days supply, unless of course there is a clinical need, e.g tapering doses for BDZ's. Doctors can prescribe 200 tablets for 200 days if they want.

[Msocpharm]

I think you are mixing up normal NHS prescriptions with those for Schedule 2/3/4 CD's where prescribers are encouraged to restrict supply to 30 days supply, unless of course there is a clinical need, e.g tapering doses for BDZ's. Doctors can prescribe 200 tablets for 200 days if they want.

but how can we be sure thats clinically safe as the bnf doesnt state that right?

[Nik]

Say a patient takes ramipril 2.5mg daily for b.p. and he brings a prescription for 84 tablets, there wouldn't necessarily be a problem as this would be long term medication - you wouldn't need to check the bnf if you see this as the patient's bp would be controlled on this dosage. If/when you ever work in a community pharmacy you will fully understand what I'm trying to say. Things like 224 oxytetracycline tabs or 168 metformin tabs are not uncommon.

[Msocpharm]

Say a patient takes ramipril 2.5mg daily for b.p. and he brings a prescription for 84 tablets, there wouldn't necessarily be a problem as this would be long term medication - you wouldn't need to check the bnf if you see this as the patient's bp would be controlled on this dosage. If/when you ever work in a community pharmacy you will fully understand what I'm trying to say. Things like 224 oxytetracycline tabs or 168 metformin tabs are not uncommon.

I appreciate this but how would I know for the sake of the exam when I am on my tod