Prescriber types and BNF

Question 1

Describe appropriate prescribers

Answer 1

Doctors registered with the GMC
Dentists registered with the GDC
Community practitioner nurse prescriber (CPN)
Independent prescribers: must be registered
Nurses and pharmacists
Supplementary prescribers: registered with HPC
Nurses and pharmacists

Question 2

Give the GP/SUP/IND prescription
Form code
Colour
For an computer single sheet prescription

Answer 2

FP10SS

Green

Question 3

Give the GP prescription
Form code
Colour
For a handwritten prescription

Answer 3

FP10NC

Green

Question 4

Give the nurse prescription
form code
colour
for a handwritten prescripton

Answer 4

FP10P

Lilac

Question 5

Give the
form code
colour
for a dentist prescription

Answer 5

FP10D

Yellow

Question 6

Give the
form code
colour
for a GP clinic prescription

Answer 6

FP10MDA

Blue

Question 7

Give the
form code
colour
For a Scottish GP prescription

Answer 7

GP10

Orange

Question 8

Give the
Form code
colour
For a Welsh GP prescription

Answer 8

WP10SS

Green

Question 9

Do NHS formularies and lists mentioned on these cards apply to private prescriptions?

Answer 9

No

Question 10

Where can NHS formularies be found?

Answer 10

Drug tariff or BNF

Question 11

What is the DPF?

Answer 11

List of drugs dentists can prescribe

Question 12

What is the NPF?

Answer 12

List of drugs CPNs (Community practice nurses) can prescribe

Question 13

What is the black list?

Who does it apply to?

Answer 13

Drugs not allowed to prescribe on the NHS

Doctors and independant and supplementary prescribers

Question 14

What is the ACBS?

When can stuff on it be prescribed?

Answer 14

Borderline substances

Food/toiletrees that can only be prescribed in certain circumstances

Question 15

What is the appliances list? When can it be prescribed?

Answer 15

Appliances available for NHS prescription

Question 16

What is the SLS?

Answer 16

Selected products list only to be prescribed in certain circumstances

Question 17

What are the proprietary and non-proprietary names of drugs?

Answer 17

Proprietary = Branded =company's name for drug
Non-proprietary = Generic =actual drug name

Question 18

5 reasons why it is important to know the drug’s formulation on a prescription

Answer 18

• any drug has different formulations
• formulations may have different brands
• may affect dose
• is it appropriate for the patient
• changes how to counsel for use

Question 19

Example of dosage unit

Answer 19

One 5ml spoonful

1 tablet

Question 20

Define strength

Answer 20

amount of drug in 1 dosage unit

Question 21

Define dose

Answer 21

Amount taken at once/number of dosage units taken at once

Question 22

Define dosage regimen

Answer 22

Frequency of admin

Question 23

Total daily dose =

Answer 23

dose x frequency

Question 24

Name the 4 ways quantities can be used

Answer 24

1) Simple total quantity of dosage units
E.g. 100 tablets, 200mls etc
2) Regimen and length of treatment
1 tablet 3 times daily for 5 days = 15 tablets
3) No of original packs (OP)
The smallest pack size available 
4) Total quantity in weight of drug
5mg tablet daily, total of 500mg = 100 tablets

Question 25

How do pharmacists get paid for NHS prescriptions?

Answer 25

Reimbursement by the NHS Business Service Authority Prescription Pricing Division
(NHS BSAPPD)
Prescriptions are sent to them at the end of every month

Question 26

What is the drug tariff? Where can it be found? What is on it?

Answer 26

Produced by the NHS BSAPPD
Can be found online @ http://www.ppa.org.uk/ppa/edt_intro.htm
Lists many things relating to payment for pharmacy services, inc:
Payment to pharmacists for drugs/appliances
What is allowed/not allowed on prescription
The NHS prescription charge system for patients
Multiple charges
Contraceptives

Question 27

What is the BNF

Answer 27

‘Independent guidance on best practice with clinically validated drug information enabling healthcare professionals to select safe and effective medicines for individual patients.’

Compiled by 50 clinical experts
Updated twice a year