EU law defines a medicine as "any substance or combination of substances presented for treating or preventing disease in human beings or animals." (The Irish Medicines Board)

Medication is for the purpose of restoring health or stabilising the health status of the person. It is administered for its therapeutic effect. For example antibiotics are prescribed to cure or control infection; insulin must be taken for life because it is replacing the body’s own natural supply of insulin which is depleted or absent. Cardiac drugs are prescribed for a variety of heart problems.

Throughout the text the words drug and medication will be interchanged.

Medicinal Products (Prescription and Control of Supply) (Amendment) Regulations 2005 states:

“4A It shall not be a contravention of the provisions of these Regulations for (a) any person to administer to another any medicinal product which is not subject to prescription control by virtue of these Regulations;

(b) a registered medical practitioner or registered dentist to administer to a patient any medicinal product subject to control by virtue of these Regulations

(c) any person, other than a registered medical practitioner or registered dentist. To administer to a patient, in accordance with the directions of a registered medical practitioner or registered dentist, any medicinal product subject to control by virtue of these Regulations.

MEDICATION CYCLE

Below is a diagram of the process by which a patient comes to receive medication. The patient visits the doctor with a particular health complaint. The doctor makes a diagnosis and prescribes a medication. The patient takes the prescription to the pharmacist who dispenses the medication prescribed and supplies it to the patient who either self administers or has it administered to him/her by another person.

Prescribe: a prescription is a document written for an individual patient, by a doctor, dentist or registered nurse prescriber, who is registered to prescribe medications. It is written on an official prescription pad. It identifies the patient, the drug, the frequency and the dosage to be given. The pharmacist issues the medication based on this prescription. The Public Health Nurse or Registered Nurse transcribes this information to the Patients Chart which is kept in the patient’s home for use by the HCA.

Dispense: the prescription is given to a registered pharmacist who interprets the prescription and makes up the medicine for the individual patient. The medicine can be made up in different forms depending on the circumstances and abilities of the patient to self administer or for another person to administer. Besides dispensing in labelled bottles with or without safety caps, there is a bio-dose system (which can dispense liquids as well as tablets), blister pack and pod systems for dispensing.

Blister Pack

Pod System

Supply: the medication supplied by the pharmacist is then collected by or delivered to the patient.

Administer: The patient may self administer or should the patient have a physical or cognitive impairment the medication can be administered by a family member, friend or carer. The patient with cognitive ability should always be kept informed of the reason for the medication and consulted regarding the medication routine.