Published: 22/08/24

NHS 24 have recently reported an increase in the number of patients contacting them, who are visiting Scotland from other parts of the UK, who have been unable to access repeat prescription only medicines (POM) in an emergency. In this circumstance, patients fall into the exclusion criteria for a supply under the NHS Scotland Unscheduled Care PGD (because they are not registered, even temporarily, with a Scottish Medical Practice). 

In this case, it is appropriate for the Pharmacist to consider a supply using the Emergency Supply legislation covered in The Human Medicines Regulations 2012, and detailed in the BNF and Medicines, Ethics & Practice. 

Various professional standards and regulations underpin this service, so please ensure you are using the most up to date information when making your decision on how to proceed with the request.  The current guidance can be accessed via the buttons below: