Prescription Requirement and Labelling of Dispensed Medicines

Question 1

What are the prescription requirements ?

Answer 1

1. Indelible
2. Signature of prescriber
3. Address of prescriber
4. Date
5. Particulates (qualifications GMC number)
6. name and address of patient
7. Age if under 12

Question 2

How long is an NHS prescription valid for provided that there are no controlled drugs ?

Answer 2

6 months

Question 3

Are fax prescriptions legally valid ?

Answer 3

No, there is a risk in supplying loads of prescriptions and a risk that the prescription is not genuine

Question 4

Can you prepare a prescription that has been faxed to the pharmacy?

Answer 4

You can prepare but can only dispense if the real prescription has been given (Never do this for CD. Always wait for the prescription)

Question 5

What is a patient specific direction?

Answer 5

Written instructions from doctor, dentist or non-medical prescriber for a medicine. Usually only done in emergency settings

Question 6

When can you supply medicines without a prescription?

Answer 6

1. PGD
2. PSD
3. EMERGENCY SUPPLY
4. Optometrist or podiatrist signed patient order
5. Supply of salbutamol to schools
6. Supply of adrenaline auto-injections to schools
7. Supply of naloxone by individual providing recognised drug treatment service

Question 7

How long should private prescriptions for POM be kept for and what records should be made ?

Answer 7

Retained for 2 years

POM register should be made and retained for 2 years

Question 8

When should a POM register entry be made

Answer 8

On the day of the sale but if not practical on the next day

Question 9

What is the legal requirement for dispensing medical label ?

Answer 9

• Name of the patient
• Name and address of the supplying pharmacy
• Date of dispensing
• Name of medicine
• Direction for use
• Precautions relating to the use of medicine