In Clinical news

Follow this topic

Bookmark

Record learning outcomes

Leyla Hannbeck, head of pharmacy at the National Pharmacy Association, answers three of the 700 questions fielded every day by the NPA's Pharmacy Services team

Question

Are retailers in England legally required to charge for single-use carrier bags?

Answer

No. This is not currently a llegal requirement in England. However, from October 5, they will be required to charge 5p for single-use plastic carrier bags, subject to government approval. Small and medium-sized businesses will be exempt from this requirement. Retailers in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales already have their own regulations in place and charge 5p. Since January 19 in Northern Ireland, the 5p levy has also applied to all new carrier bags sold for less than 20p, regardless of whether they are single use or reusable. For more information on requirements in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, NPA members can access a guidance document at: www.npa.co.uk/knowledge-centre/pharmacy-practice/single-use-carrier-bag-charge

Question

What monitoring is required for a patient taking a thiazide-type diuretic?

Answer

For patients taking thiazide-type diuretics, it is recommended that renal function and serum electrolytes (in particular potassium levels) are checked:

• Before starting treatment
• Within four to six weeks of starting the diuretic, then every six to 12 months
• After a dose increase
• If the patient's clinical condition changes
• If a drug is added that may potentially interact with the thiazide.

Question

Do undergraduate pharmacy students have to be enrolled on a training programme before they can sell medicines or work in a dispensary?

Answer

No. A student currently studying on an MPharm degree does not have to be enrolled on a training programme because they are exempt from the minimum training requirements that apply to dispensing/pharmacy assistants and medicines counter assistants. This is stated in the General Pharmaceutical Council's policy on the minimum training requirements for dispensing/pharmacy assistants and medicines counter assistants. However, the GPhC document, 'Standards of conduct, ethics and performance 2012', states that pharmacists have an obligation to ensure that any person working in the pharmacy is appropriately trained to safely conduct their role.