Which action is appropriate when presented with a Spanish language prescription for a benzodiazepine for status epilepticus?

• A. Supply the medication and counsel
• B. Refuse to dispense
• C. Advise cannot legally dispense this item and refer to a UK prescriber
• D. Ask for UK prescriber approval first

Answer: (C)

The action hinges on regulatory validity of prescriptions for controlled drugs. In the UK, dispensing a benzodiazepine on a prescription requires that the prescription be issued by a prescriber who is legally authorized to prescribe in the UK (or under tightly defined reciprocal arrangements). A Spanish-language prescription isn’t automatically valid for dispensing in the UK, especially for a controlled drug like a benzodiazepine. So the correct approach is to tell the patient that you cannot legally dispense this item from a foreign-language prescription and to refer them to a UK prescriber who can issue a valid UK prescription. If the patient is in immediate danger or the situation is life-threatening, seek urgent medical help.