Emergency Supply

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Pharmacy guide

In an emergency, as a pharmacist working in a registered retail pharmacy, you can supply prescription-only medicines (POMs) without a prescription at the request of a relevant prescriber or a patient.

Use this guide to find out about the requirements of an emergency supply, and decide if an emergency supply is appropriate.

We also dispel some myths about emergency supplies.

First Published: 28 September 2016
Updated: 28 January 2022

Sections on this page

  • To supply or not to supply?
  • Emergency supply at the request of a prescriber
  • Emergency supply at the request of a patient
  • Relevant prescribers
  • How do I check registration?
  • Further information 

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