Purpose
This article explains how to configure dispensing within Medicus.
Enabling dispensing
To allow prescriptions to be issued to your dispensary, go to Modules > Prescribing and Medicines Management > Prescribing Configuration.
Under Additional Options, select Issue to Dispensary? Select Yes to allow prescriptions to be issued to the dispensary.
On the same settings page, you can choose whether to print the paper script at the point of issue or later at the point of dispensing. Printing at the point of issue is the default.
If you prefer to print at the point of dispensing, you should ensure your practice has completed a risk assessment for unsigned scripts before enabling this option.
Rotating responsible practitioners
If your practice rotates which GP partner is listed as the responsible practitioner on dispensary scripts, you can configure this in Medicus.
To enable this, go to Prescribing Configuration and select the Rotate dispensary scripts? setting. Select Yes and then use the staff list to add the GP partners that stamps should be rotated between.
When a prescription is issued to the dispensary with rotation enabled, Medicus will automatically select the GP partner with the lowest script count as the responsible practitioner and update their count once the prescription is issued. If a staff member is archived, they are automatically removed from the rotation.
Managing dispensaries and collection locations
Adding a dispensary
To add a dispensary, go to Modules > Dispensing > Dispensaries and select Add dispensary.
Enter a name for the dispensary and select the site it belongs to, then select Save.
Edit/archive a dispensary
To edit or archive a dispensary, select the dispensary from the dispensaries list. To edit the dispensary details, select the pencil icon in the top right hand corner.
To archive the dispensary, select Archive dispensary. This will remove it from the dispensary list.
When a dispensary is archived, all of its collection and stock locations are archived at the same time. This only affects new dispensing orders. Existing orders remain accessible.
Adding a collection location
Collection locations are the specific points from which patients collect their medication. To add one, open the dispensary from the dispensary list and select Add collection location.
Enter the location name and select Save.
Editing or archiving a collection location
To edit or archive a collection location, open the dispensary and select the collection location from the list.
From here you can update the name by selecting the pencil icon in the top right hand corner or select Archive collection location.
If any patients have that collection location set as their preferred location, Medicus will prompt you to choose a replacement before archiving.
For each affected location, you can either select Replace with another collection location and choose a new one, or select Do not replace to leave those patient records unchanged. You must complete all required fields before you can proceed.
When a dispensary is archived, all of its collection and stock locations are archived at the same time. This only affects new dispensing orders. Existing orders remain accessible.
Adding a stock location
Stock locations sit within collection locations and represent where medication is physically stored. To add one, open the collection location from the dispensary panel and select Add stock location. Enter a name and select Add location.
Editing or archiving a stock location
To edit or archive a stock location, select it from the collection location view and update the details or select Archive stock location.
Setting a patient's dispensing preferences
To ensure prescriptions default to the right dispensary when issued, each dispensing patient should have a preferred collection location recorded on their record.
If your practice has dispensing enabled, a Dispensing Preference section appears on the patient's administrative record, below the EPS Pharmacy Nominations section. Select the section to update the patient's preferred collection location.
This field is also available on permanent registration forms, provided your practice has dispensing enabled and has selected Medication will be dispensed by the practice on those forms.