Equality act

Question 1

What does the equality act cover?

Answer 1

Legally protects people from discrimination in workplace + wider society

Question 2

Define disabled

Answer 2

If person has mental, sensory or physical impairment that has long-term adverse effect on their ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities

Question 3

Who does the equality act not apply to?

Answer 3

• Lifestyle choices - tattoos + non-medical piercings
• Seasonal allergies
• Addiction to alcohol, nicotine or other non-prescribed substance

Question 4

How is a patient assessed?

Answer 4

• Should be done w/ patient
• May involve other health workers
• Doesn’t need to be done by pharmacist
• Find out: is patient disabled? do the services provided by pharmacy need to be reasonably adjusted?

Question 5

When making a reasonable adjustment, what must be considered?

Answer 5

• Patient safety
• Resource implications
• Decisions should encourage independence + manage risk
• Should be documented

Question 6

What are the disadvantages to using multi-compartment compliance aids?

Answer 6

• Not all med are suitable for inclusion
• Labelling problems
• Reduces patient’s knowledge of medicines
• Timely + costly
• May use incorrectly
• Not child resistant
• Repackaging renders it unlicensed use

Question 7

What are the advantages to using multi-compartment compliance aids?

Answer 7

• Allows patient to keep living in own home
• Safer than relatives filling own MCA
• Improve adherence

Question 8

What other ways can help a pharmacist improve compliance?

Answer 8

• Supply medicines in calendar packs
• Large print labels or braille
• Supply medicines administration record
• Complete medicines reminder chart
• Rationalise med by speaking to GP
• Administration aids
• Offer delivery services