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DH guidance - from containment to treatment
Following on from the ministerial statement changing the management of pandemic flu from containment to treatment, DH has issued the attached guidance for the NHS. Community pharmacy is included in the the guidance – as part of PCTs’ communication plans, and as interim antiviral providers (and in some cases as ACPs). Additionally the guidance states that:
Pharmacists have an important role to play in ensuring that patients and the public continue to receive their medicines during the pandemic. However, they may also have additional roles in relation to the issuing of antivirals, depending upon the local arrangements agreed by PCTs:
- ensure continuity of access, as far as possible, to prescription only and over the counter medicine services;
- provide self-care advice, to patients and referral on to other agencies (e.g. NHS Direct, GPs) if appropriate;
- provide self-care advice as well as advice for the management of minor ailments and providing messages on hand hygiene and respiratory hygiene to patients, ensuring referral on to other agencies (e.g. NHS Direct, GPs) if appropriate;
- may, in certain circumstances, be able to provide an emergency supply of medicines for up to 30 days;
- support the establishment of ACPs, in line with any locally agreed arrangements with PCTs;
- undertake and provide assurance to the local PCT that their Flu Pandemic Plan has been tested to ensure its resilience.
The Department of Health is expecting to publish guidance this month for pharmacies and dispensing doctor practices, which has been developed in close collaboration with PSNC and the other national pharmacy organisations. The guidance will be based on the legislative changes (MLX 355) which will come into force over the summer and will help to support pharmacists and their staff in responding to the pandemic.
National authorisation vouchers for use for antiviral supply are currently being produced which, when issued, will remove the use of FP10s as tokens.
To view the latest DH guidance click here.
Posted 8 July 2009