A selection of recent questions answered for members by the NPA’s Pharmacy Services Team

Q Is there a maximum number of salbutamol inhalers that can be supplied to a school on a signed order?

A From 1 October 2014, all schools in the UK have had the option of holding stocks of salbutamol inhalers for use by children who have asthma (with parental consent) in an emergency situation. The supply of salbutamol inhalers to schools is only intended to be used if a child’s prescribed inhaler is not available, for example, if it is faulty or empty. There is no legal restriction on the number of salbutamol inhalers that can be requested by a head teacher or principal of a school on a signed order and they may request more than one. However, pharmacists may wish to question regular requests for large quantities of salbutamol inhalers for supply to a school.

Q How should I dispose of expired pharmacy stock or patient returns of liquid nutritional supplements such as Ensure Plus juice?

A Products which are not pharmaceutically active and do not have any hazardous properties can be disposed of in the sink. This should be done in small quantities, ie, less than one litre. Therefore liquid nutritional supplements (as long as no other pharmaceutically active products have been added to them), such as Ensure Plus juice, which fall in this category can be disposed of in this manner.

Q Can the influenza vaccine be given at the same time as other vaccines?

A Yes. Both inactivated influenza vaccines and the live attenuated influenza vaccine can be given at the same time as other live or inactivated vaccines. Different sites should be used when administering intramuscular and intradermal vaccines and ideally different limbs should be used. Vaccines given in the same limb should be administered at a distance of at least 2.5cm between each site.