spilled methadone?

[pharmer7]

Not something which has happened to me, but sure it will happen at some point in the future. In the event that a lot of methadone gets spilled or a whole bottle gets smashed in the shop, or an addict smashes their bottle either inside or outside, what to do next?

[tinx25388]

This happened to me as a trainee dispenser. We used to wrap the Rx around the bottles once they were dispensed, and when putting it into the CD cupboard, it slipped out, hit the shelf, and smashed. We knew it was 150mls lost.

Rightly or wrongly, my Pharmacist advised me to clean it up with paper towels (at this point I wished it was SF version!!), which we then placed into a DOOM kit, and she made an entry in the Methadone register, which the other Pharmacist countersigned.

I'm not sure if it was the correct way, as it is not covered in our SOPS.

[johnep]

Correct, simply make entry in register and have someone witness it and co sign. Once had 500ml measure full knocked over. Worse thing was the mess.
johnep

[shan]

Read this and then tell me what will you do
Ethical dilemma

[crit care]

i had a bottle of methadone smash on me the other day...knew it was a full bottle...just put it in register as smashed bottle and wrote off 100ml....

of course i got my straw out and sucked up the spillage that the paper towels couldn't reach...couldn't let it go to waste!

[Fleegle]

Yes..that's the drill. Register it out of stock with a signed (and co-signed if possible) annotated entry in the register. If a 'dependant customer' smashes a bottle after dispensing it's a different ball game. The toothless ned must obtain another prescription for a further supply. No debate on that one. I now refuse to dispense methadone, unless it's a low-dose anti-tussive for palliative use. I've had enough of junkies.
Fortunately in Ireland we still have the choice whether we choose to deal with addicts or not. I choose not to, and frankly, never will again.

Fleeg.

[hibernia]

Fortunately in Ireland we still have the choice whether we choose to deal with addicts or not.

We have a choice for now but don't bet on it lasting for ever. It is the only service we provide that still attracts decent renumeration but when that is targetted and rates fall you may see pharmacists being forced to provide services on the basis that you 'can't discriminate' between different 'illnesses'.

[Fleegle]

Decent remuneration or not, I would still refuse to do it. Supply of methadone can kill a business. I would not take the risk.