Box 1.

Standard practice in prescribing anticipatory medications in the UK^5,7,11,19,20

Injectable drugs are pre-emptively prescribed to be administered ‘if needed’ to manage pain, agitation, nausea and vomiting, and respiratory secretions in the last days of life The drugs and doses prescribed vary depending on anticipated clinical need and local practice guidance, and may include sublingual lorazepam A box or bag containing the medications, needles and syringes, patient information sheet, and signed medication administration authorisation chart detailing doses to be given are kept in the patient’s home Visiting nurses or doctors make a clinical assessment before deciding whether to administer any medications