Friday 23 December 2022
Bev Hall, the Bailiwick's Chief Pharmacist has taken action to support islanders access to antibiotics while demand is high.
SSPs are used to manage temporary and potential medical supply issues.
Without SSPs in place, Pharmacists who cannot source items on a prescription have to find alternative sources on island or ask the prescriber to consider an alternative.
By law, a pharmacist can only dispense what is on a prescription. An SSP allows Pharmacists to legally supply a specified alternative formulation or medicine - removing the need to go back to the prescriber and therefore, saving time and inconvenience for patients.
The decision to introduce SSPs has resulted from the increase in demand for antibiotics prescribed to treat Strep A.
Bev Hall said:
'An SSP gives Pharmacists tools to supply medication in a different way to ease pressure on prescribers and to support patients. However, it should be noted that Pharmacists use their clinical judgement in each individual case and may, in some instances, decide not to take advantage of an SSP and refer back to the prescribing doctor.'
SSPs for antibiotic medication have been introduced with the full support of the Committee forHealth & Social Care and come into effect immediately.
All community pharmacies have been made aware of this update to the protocols and have the necessary guidance documentation to support this decision from the Chief Pharmacist.
