Question

Is it a legal requirement that the prescriber signs inside the signature box on a prescription?

Answer

No. The Human Medicines Regulations 2012 do not state that the prescriber’s signature must be within the signature box to be legally valid. However, they do state that a prescription for a prescription- only medicine must be signed in ink by an appropriate practitioner or EEA health professional to be legally valid. The pharmacist should confirm that the signature is genuine and that they are satisfied with the identity of the prescriber before dispensing.

Question

Can I reduce the price of infant formula that is going to expire soon?

Answer

No. The Department of Health has produced guidance notes on the Infant Formula and Follow-on Formula Regulations 2007 (as amended), which are applicable to the whole of the UK (they were prepared in association with the Welsh Government, and Food Standards Agency in Scotland and Northern Ireland). They state that: “Regulation 23(1)(d), (e) and 23(2) prohibit ‘special sales’ to promote the sale of an infant formula or any other special activity at any place where any infant formula is sold by retail to induce the sale of an infant formula. For example, multi-packs (bulk packs), loyalty/reward card schemes, free formula, price reductions, discounts or mark downs and buy one get one free.” Therefore, the price of infant formula cannot be reduced to encourage sales.

Question

Can Avloclor tablets be sold over-the-counter for malaria prophylaxis?

Answer

Yes. Even though the British National Formulary states that Avloclor tablets are a prescription-only medicine, they are currently marketed as a pharmacy medicine and can be sold to the public when used for the prophylaxis of malaria. Avloclor is a prescription-only medicine when used for the treatment of malaria, amoebic hepatitis and abscess, discoid and systemic lupus erythematosus, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Question

Can the Mantoux test be used in pregnancy?

Answer 

Yes. The Mantoux test is the standard skin test used to determine whether a person is already immune to tuberculosis (TB). It is a tuberculin skin test that uses a purified protein derivative of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (PPDMT). If the patient’s immune system has previously experienced mycobacteria (generally TB), the injection site will react when injected with PPDMT. This is shown by the area becoming red and swollen within two days of having the injection. PPDMT is not infectious, so there is no risk of transmission of infection to either mother or her baby. Additionally, pregnancy will not alter the results of a tuberculin test.