From: What does it cost to redispense unused medications in the pharmacy? A micro-costing study
Process steps | Medication requiring room-temperature storage | Medication requiring refrigeration | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Mean time (minutes; min-max) | Cost (€) | Mean time (minutes; min-max) | Cost (€) | |
Step 1. Prepare medication before dispensing | 1.6 (1.4–1.7) | 2.90 | 2.0 (1.8–2.3) | 4.30 |
▪ Register patient information and medication intended for dispensing in PHISa | ||||
▪ Collect a sealbag and temperature-measuring device | ||||
▪ Activate temperature-measuring device | ||||
▪ Place medication with temperature-measuring device in sealbag | ||||
▪ Inform the patient about the redispensing process | ||||
Step 2. Assess quality of returned medication | 2.9 (2.4–3.6) | 2.14 | 3.9 (3.5–4.2) | 2.73 |
▪ Register returned medication in PHIS | ||||
▪ Place medication in a storage location if not assessed directly | ||||
▪ Determine the quality of the medication and register temperature storage, package integrity and expiry date | ||||
▪ Place medication in storage location | ||||
▪ Review and sign off checklist by pharmacist | ||||
Step 3a. Restock medication that fulfil all quality criteria | 0.8 (0.6–1.0) | 0.50 | 0.9 (0.8–0.9) | 0.58 |
▪ Collect medication from storage location | ||||
▪ Remove old patient label from medication package | ||||
▪ Document the restocking in PHIS | ||||
▪ Place medication in pharmacy stockb | ||||
Step 3b. Dispose of medication that not fulfil quality criteria | 0.7 (0.7–0.8) | 0.48 | 0.8 (0.7–1.0) | 0.53 |
▪ Collect medication from storage location | ||||
▪ Document the disposal in PHIS | ||||
▪ Place medication in disposal bin | ||||
Step 4a. Collect and restock temperature loggers returned by post | – | – | 0.4 (0.3–0.4) | 1.28 |
Step 4b. Collect and restock temperature loggers returned as normal care | 0.4 (0.3–0.4) | 0.25 | ||
▪ Take logger from envelope (paid by pharmacy) | ||||
▪ Deactivate logger | ||||
▪ Place logger in stock | ||||
Total | ||||
Medication that returns to stock (step 1,2,3a) | 5.3 (SD ±0.3) | 5.54 | 6.8 (SD ±0.3) | 7.61 |
Medication that is disposed of (step 1,2,3b) | 5.2 (SD ±0.4) | 5.52 | 6.7 (SD ±0.5) | 7.56 |