Q. Will the slides or a recording be available?
A. Yes. A recording of the session has been made which we may be able to share with members pending approval from speakers at the seminar.
Q. Are there any quiet times in pharmacy anymore?
A. This reflected the shared reality that consultation pressure is now continuous rather than episodic, reinforcing the need for efficient workflows and clear clinical frameworks.
Q. If migraine with aura develops months after starting a combined oral contraceptive, can the patient be switched to a POP (e.g. Levest)?
A. Yes. Development of migraine with aura is a contraindication to continued COCP use and switching to a suitable POP is appropriate, following clinical assessment.
Q. If there is more than one episode of UPSI in a cycle and earlier episodes were not covered by emergency contraception, can EC still be supplied for the most recent episode?
A. A pregnancy test can be carried out first. Emergency contraception may be supplied for the most recent UPSI if it falls within the
appropriate timeframe, on a risk–benefit basis. Oral EC has not been shown to cause harm in early pregnancy.
Q. Who performs the pregnancy test?
A. Follow-up pregnancy testing is usually done by the individual. If a test is clinically indicated at the point of prescribing, the
pharmacist can perform a urine pregnancy test in the clinic.
Q. Is there a concise guideline or chart to help with decision-making during pressured consultations?
A. This was noted as a key need. Practical reference tools and summaries are being developed and will be
shared.
Q. How do you decide the ‘best’ oral contraceptive pill?
A. Choice depends on patient preference and individual risk factors. From a safety perspective, COCPs with less than 30 micrograms of oestrogen and progestogens such as levonorgestrel, norethisterone, or
norgestimate have the most favourable safety profiles.
Q. What is the payment for the oral contraception service – £18 or £25?
A. This will be clearly confirmed in the follow-up information.
Q. Are individuals who are not registered with a general practice eligible for the service?
A. Yes. Where an individual is suitable, the service can still be provided even if they are not registered with a general practice. This includes asylum seekers and people without an NHS number. Individuals should be provided with their biometric results and
information on how to register with a local practice.
Q. If a person refuses to have the consultation outcomes shared with their general practice, can they still access the service?
A. Yes. If an individual does not consent to consultation outcomes being shared with their
general practice, the service can still be provided and no notification information should be sent.
Q. Do I have to provide the person’s general practice with the outcomes of their consultation?
A. Where the individual provides consent, a notification of the consultation
outcome will be sent to their general practice as a structured message in real time via the approved clinical services IT system.
Q. Is the software compatible with Omnicell VBM machines?
A. Yes. Integration with VBM is available.
Q. Can data be transferred from ProScript to Apotec, and is this available for Cegedim Pharmacy Manager?
A. Data transfer is available from both systems. The ProScript transfer is more comprehensive than the Pharmacy Manager transfer.
Q. Is the IP platform subject to additional fees?
A. This is still being determined.
Q. Will the system generate MAR charts for nursing or care home patients?
A. Yes. MAR chart generation is included.
Q. Is there an NMS module built in?
A. Yes. The NMS module is included as standard.
Q. Is there a controlled drug register linked to the dispensing process?
A. Full integration with the CD Smart product is being released shortly. There is no additional fee for those already using PharmaSmart.
