Wards and departments have stocks of medicines, appropriate to their needs, decided upon by the ward pharmacist, pharmacy technician and senior nurse. Urgent items are requested from pharmacy by presentation of the prescription at the pharmacy. Prescriptions are viewed by a pharmacist and checked for interactions and appropriateness of therapy. Prescriptions are endorsed by a pharmacist as necessary. All drugs requiring special monitoring procedures are supplied in accordance with the manufacturers and product licence requirements e.g. Clozapine.
Patients receive the appropriate medicine via the correct route at the right time.
The medicine supplied is safe and effective. Audit of availability of medication and of patient waiting times. When appropriate, patients will administer their own medication prior to discharge. Pharmacists are involved in the production of self administration procedures which ensure the safety of all patients. The pharmacist is involved in the selection, monitoring and counselling of patients who are self administering.