BNF for Children 2011-2012

BNFC 2011–2012 Supply of medicines 7drugs such as neomycin) should be avoided or undertakenwith appropriate precautions to protect staff andcarers (see also Safety in the Home, above).The BP direction that a preparation must be freshlyprepared indicates that it must be made not more than24 hours before it is issued for use. The direction that apreparation should be recently prepared indicates thatdeterioration is likely if the preparation is stored forlonger than about 4 weeks at 15–25 o C.The term water used without qualification means eitherpotable water freshly drawn direct from the publicsupply and suitable for drinking or freshly boiled andcooled purified water. The latter should be used if thepublic supply is from a local storage tank or if thepotable water is unsuitable for a particular preparation.See also Water for Injections, section 9.2.2.Labelling medicines The name of the medicineshould appear on the label unless the prescriber indicatesotherwise; the name shown on the label should bethat written on the prescription. The strength shouldalso be stated on the label in the case of preparationsthat are available in different strengths.Labels should indicate the total quantity of the productdispensed in the container to which the label refers. Thisrequirement applies equally to solid, liquid, internal, andexternal preparations. If a product is dispensed in morethan one container, the reference should be to theamount in each container.Supply of medicines