A prescription written in Greek from a doctor in Greece for a salbutamol inhaler for asthma. The patient is coughing, wheezing and short of breath. What is the most appropriate course of action?

• A. Supply the medication as an emergency supply and counsel the patient on the medication as appropriate
• B. Refuse because it is from Greece
• C. Wait for a UK prescriber
• D. Ask for an English version of the prescription

Answer: (A)

When a patient is experiencing acute asthma symptoms, a salbutamol inhaler is a rescue medicine that must be available promptly. In a pharmacy, you can provide an emergency supply of a prescribed medicine for urgent needs, even if the prescription is in Greek, as long as you can reasonably confirm what is prescribed and there’s an immediate need to treat the symptoms. This bridge supply aims to relieve the patient now while arranging proper follow-up.

For an emergency supply, offer the minimum quantity required to meet the urgent need and ensure the patient understands how to use the inhaler correctly. Provide counselling on inhaler technique, the intended use (relief of symptoms), possible side effects (like tachycardia or tremor), and advice to seek urgent medical care if symptoms persist or worsen. Also advise the patient to obtain a UK prescription or an English translation for ongoing management.

This approach minimizes delay in relief and prioritizes safety. Waiting for a UK prescriber or an English version, or refusing the supply, could leave the patient without essential treatment in a crisis.