Leyla Hannbeck, the National Pharmacy Association’s chief pharmacist, shares the answers to three of the 700 questions fielded every day by the NPA’s Information Department

Q What is the difference between Optive lubricant eye drops 0.5% and Optive Plus eye
drops 0.5%?

A Optive lubricant eye drops 0.5% and Optive Plus eye drops 0.5% both contain sodium carboxymethylcellulose 0.5%. Optive lubricant eye drops contain a dual action formula providing lubrication and osmoprotection to the cornea of the eye. Optive Plus eye drops contain a triple action formula providing lubrication and osmoprotection as well as the added benefit of protecting natural tears with a lipid enhancement. Optive lubricant eye drops are recommended for mild dry eye and Optive Plus eye drops are recommended for moderate to severe dry eye.

 

Q Should the dose of Micronor tablets be increased to two tablets daily if a woman is overweight?

A The Faculty of Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH) clinical guidance ‘Progestogen-only Pills March 2015’ states that there is currently no evidence to suggest that the efficacy of progestogen-only pills (POPs) is reduced in women with a heavy body weight or a body mass index (BMI) over 30 kg/m². Therefore the FRSH does not recommend increasing the dose of a POP to two tablets daily if a woman is heavy or overweight.
If a pharmacist is presented with a prescription for Micronor tablets for a dose of more than one tablet daily, the prescriber should be made aware that this dose is outside of the product licence.

 

Q Will I be reimbursed for supplying Zoton FasTab tablets 30mg against an FP10 prescription requesting ‘lansoprazole FasTabs 30mg’?

A Yes. Reimbursement will be based on supplying the Zoton FasTab tablets 30mg. The pharmacist should confirm with the prescriber that it was their intention to prescribe Zoton FasTab tablets 30mg. The prescription should be endorsed with ‘Zoton FasTab tablets 30mg’ and the quantity dispensed to ensure correct reimbursement.