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Singapore - Practice
Management Part 2 (PRA3B)
RETURN OF UNUSED MEDICINES
Occasionally, patients may return unused
medicines prescribed by their doctor and request for refund due to reasons
such as allergic reaction to the drugs, etc. The SMA wrote to the National
Pharmaceutical Administration for advice and guidelines. The reply from
NPA dated 21 July 00 is reproduced for your information:
- "Currently, there are no regulations
that govern the return of medicines. In general, the return of unused
medicines is not encouraged. However, some discretion must be exercised
when the drugs are expensive and there is a good justification for
patients to return the medicines such as when the patient is allergic
to the drug or when the treatment has to be discontinued due to side
effects, etc.
- Medicines should only be accepted of
they are returned within an acceptable time frame. The Medicines should
also be carefully examined to ensure that they remain in good conditions.
- To ensure the integrity of the product,
only products which are still in the sealed original packs should
be returned. Products which have been opened or in loose forms should
not be accepted.
- The following items should not be returned:
- Items that require special storage
condition, e.g. in the fridge
- Inhalers and nasal sprays
- Mixture which has been reconstituted
- Extemporaneous preparations"
In general, doctors should only accept
return of unused medicines if they can be dispensed to other patients.
16 August 2000
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