MEP 2

Question 1

What is the difference between validity of prescriptions in terms of dates between NHS and private prescriptions?

Answer 1

1) For an NHS prescription, the appropriate date is the LATER of either the date on which the prescription was signed or a date indicated by the appropriate practitioner as the date before which it should not be dispensed.
2) For private prescriptions, the appropriate date will always be the date on which it was signed.
3) Still 6 months for POM and 28 days for CD for private and NHS

Question 2

Is it permissible to issue carbon copies of prescriptions?

Answer 2

Yes, as long as it is signed in ink

Question 3

Can an advanced electronic signature be used to sign a prescription?

Answer 3

Yes

Question 4

What are instalment prescriptions?

Answer 4

Provided for a single prescription for a controlled drug so it can be dispensed in several instalments

Question 5

1) If a repeat number is not stated on a repeat prescription, how many times can it be repeated?
2) What is an exception to this rule?

Answer 5

1) Only once (so dispensed twice in total)

2) Oral contraceptives can be repeated 5 times (dispensed 6 times in total)

Question 6

Are controlled drugs repeatable on prescription?

Answer 6

1) 2 and 3 cannot be repeated

2) however 4 and 5 can be

Question 7

On repeat prescriptions, is there a time limit?

Answer 7

1) No- the first dispensing must be made within 6 months of the date like a normal prescription
2) However after this, there is no legal time limit for the remaining repeats. However, pharmacists should use professional judgement

Question 8

For repeat prescriptions, can they be dispensed from different pharmacies?

Answer 8

1) Yes, the patient can retain the prescription and choose to have repeats dispensed from different pharmacies.
2) You can maintain an audit trail mark on the prescription (name and address of pharmacy, date of supply)

Question 9

1) Are FP10 forms used in prison?

2) Is there any exceptions to this?

Answer 9

1) FP10 prescriptions are not allowed for patients
while they are in prison (unless authorised by the
Prison Trust)
2) However, if a prisoner is about to be released and the usual method of ensuring continuity of supply in the community has not happened e.g. being released unexpectedly, can be given an FP10 or FP10MDA to take to a community pharmacy. These forms have the prison address and are exempt from paying

Question 10

What is the time limit on prescription owings for:

1) POM
2) GSL/P
3) CD 2, 3, 4

Answer 10

1) 6 months
2) 6 months
3) 28 days

Question 11

How long must a record be kept for a POM private prescription?

Answer 11

2 years from the date of supply

Question 12

1) What must you do if you dispense a private or NHS CD 2 or 3 medicine?
2) Is this the same with vet private CD prescriptions?

Answer 12

1) Private and NHS CD 2 and 3 prescriptions should be submitted to the relevant NHS agency
2) Do not need to submit vet private CD script however the prescription needs to be retained for 5 years

Question 13

When recording private prescriptions, when should the record be made into the POM register?

Answer 13

On the day of supply, and if this is not practical, on the next day following

Question 14

What 2 medicine classes are exempt from record keeping for private prescriptions?

Answer 14

Oral contraceptives and CD2s where a separate controlled drug register has been made

Question 15

Do you need to have details of the medicine in order for a prescription to be legal?

Answer 15

No, you do not legally need name, strength, form, quantity and dose however these are important to identify what medicine you need to dispense.

Question 16

Is a faxed prescription a legal document?

Answer 16

No as it has not been written in indelible ink and has not been signed in inkThere are various risks associated with faxed prescriptions e.g. sent to multiple pharmacies for multiple supplies, forged prescriptions. There are other options with a better risk profile Pharmacists considering supplying medicines against a fax should make an informed decision and consider record making of the decision-making process

Question 17

1) What can dentists legally prescribe?

2) Is there a restriction on NHS Dental prescriptions?

Answer 17

1) Any POM however the General Dental Council advises that dentists should restrict their prescribing to within their competency
2) On NHS dental prescriptions, dentists are restricted to the Dental Prescribers’ Formulary

Question 18

Who can you report to if you suspect a forged prescription?

Answer 18

Police or NHS Counter Fraud Services

Question 19

Are repeatable prescriptions from a registered EEA/Switzerland prescriber allowed?

Answer 19

Yes

Question 20

1) Are emergency supplies for patients of registered EEA/Switzerland prescriber allowed?
2) Are there any exceptions?

Answer 20

1) Yes

2) Not for CD2 or 3 (INCLUDING phenobarbital) But can for CD4 and 5

Question 21

What are the details required on an EEA/Switzerland prescription?

Answer 21

1) Patient details:Patient’s full first name(s), surname and date of birth
2) Prescriber Details: Prescriber’s full first name(s), surname, professional qualifications, direct contact details including email address and telephone or fax number, work address
3) Prescribed medicine(s) details: Name of the medicine, form, quantity, strength and dosage details
4) Prescriber signature
5) Date of issue:Valid for up to six months from the appropriate date ( Schc4 Controlled Drugs 28 days). For prescriptions from these countries the appropriate date is the date on which the prescription was signed

Question 22

If an EEA/Switzerland prescription is written in a foreign language is it legally acceptable?

Answer 22

Yes, but the pharmacist must have enough information to carry out the safe supply

Question 23

What medicines cannot be dispensed on an EEA/Switzerland prescription in the UK?

Answer 23

Schedule 1, 2, 3 drugs and those without a marketing authorisation valid in the UK

Question 24

Is there an online platform to check for all registered EEA/Swiss prescribers?

Answer 24

No, however you can contact EEA competent authorities to check registration details (can get contacts for these via GMC and other registered UK professional bodies)

Question 25

If it has not been possible to confirm the registration status of an EEA prescriber after taking all reasonable steps, is it possible to make a legal supply?

Answer 25

Yes, but it is recommended that you keep a record of decision making and any steps taken. This includes questioning the patient and using professional judgement

Question 26

If you give an emergency supply via an EEA/Swiss prescriber, within how many hours does the prescription need to be received?

Answer 26

Within 72 hours

Question 27

Can you give an emergency supply of controlled drugs via EEA/Swiss prescriber?

Answer 27

1) Cannot give schedule 1,2, 3 including phenobarbital.

2) However can supply schedule 4 and 5

Question 28

What is a military prescription also known as?

Answer 28

FMed 296

Question 29

How does dispensing of military prescriptions work?

Answer 29

1) Large military medical centres do their own in house dispensing
2) Smaller centres outsource the dispensing process to designated community pharmacies under a Ministry of Defence contract.
3) These pharmacies will invoice the Ministry and Defence directly

Question 30

1) In the event that a military prescription is presented in a non-contracted pharmacy, how should it be dispensed and how is it paid?
2) What about a military personnel that presents with an NHS prescription?

Answer 30

1) It should be treated as a private prescription. The pharmacy are not to invoice the MOD directly but should charge the patient. It is then up to the patient if they wish to recover this cost from their military unit.
2) This should only happen in exceptional circumstances as there are contracted pharmacies to dispense these prescriptions
3) Same process as a normal NHS prescription, unless they fall under NHS exemption and do not have to pay for their prescriptions. The person can then try and claim the money back from the military

Question 31

Can military CD prescriptions be on a standard FMed 296 form?

Answer 31

No, you need designated standardised forms which can be obtained from local primary care organisation/NHS health boards, in the same manner as prescribers wishing to prescribe CDs privately

Question 32

what information should a POM register entry include?

Answer 32

1) Supply date
2) Prescription date
3) Medicine details
4) Prescriber details (name and address)
5) Patient details (name and address)