Principles of Prescribing

Question 1

Is “T” or “TT” an approved abbreviation when prescribing?

Answer 1

No - number of doses should always be stated in full

Question 2

Which dose units can be abbreviated on a prescription?

Answer 2

grams and milligrams i.e. g and mg. Others must be written out in full.

Question 3

Which group of drugs legally require the form of the drug to be written on the prescription?

Answer 3

Controlled drugs

Question 4

What is the human medicines regulation?

Answer 4

Legislation surrounding authorising medicine for human use.

Question 5

Who are green primary care prescriptions given by?

Answer 5

GP
Hospitals
Independant and Supplementary prescribers

Question 6

Who are lilac primary care prescriptions given by?

Answer 6

nurse independent and supplementary prescribers

Question 7

Who are yellow primary care prescriptions given by?

Answer 7

Dentists

Question 8

Who are blue primary care prescriptions given by?

Answer 8

Prescriptions of drugs of misuse to manage opioid dependance

Question 9

Who are pink primary care prescriptions given by?

Answer 9

Private sector prescriptions for controlled drugs

Question 10

What is a patient specific direction?

Answer 10

Exemptions to restrictions on sale, supply, and administration of medicines

Seen in hospital prescription as directions to administer a medicine to a named patient

Question 11

Does a computer generated FP10 need a handwritten signature?

Answer 11

Yes

Question 12

What age is it a legal requirement to put a date of birth on the prescription?

Answer 12

Under 12, but it’s a good idea to do it for everyone.

Question 13

What patient details should all prescriptions contain?

Answer 13

Full name
Address
Hospital number if in hospital
NHS number if available

Question 14

What prescriber identifiers need to be on a prescription?

Answer 14

Address
Professional number or prescribing status
Signature

Question 15

Does a prescription always need a date?

Answer 15

Yeep.

Question 16

What should a prescription always be written in?

Answer 16

Indelible ink

Question 17

What are the 2 classificatiosn of controlled drugs?

Answer 17

• By misuse of drugs act 1971 (Class A B and C)

- Misuse of drugs regulations 2001 (conditions under which certain eople can have certain drugs) divided into schedules

Question 18

Can FY1s prescribe controlled drugs?

Answer 18

Nope.

Question 19

How are schedule 2 and 3 controlled drugs indicated in the BNF?

Answer 19

By “CD2” or “CD3” written next to them

Question 20

How does a controlled drug prescription need to be written?

Answer 20

Full pateint details
Drug
Dose in words and numbers
Route of administration
Frequency
Formulation
Strength
Total quantity/number of dosage units provided in letters and numbers

Question 21

How long is the maximum for controlled drug prescription quantities?

Answer 21

30 days, no more.

Question 22

What is an unlicensed drug?

Answer 22

Unlicensed products do not have a UK marketing authorisation.

Question 23

What is off-label prescribing?

Answer 23

Off-label prescribing refers to the use of a drug that does have a marketing authorisation, but where its use is outside the terms of its licence. This may be at a different dose, indication, or patient group outlined in the ‘Summary of Product Characteristics’ (SPC).

Question 24

What are the recommendations for prescribing off-label?

Answer 24

• No suitable licensed alternatives
• Sufficient evidence or experience
• Prescriber prepared to take responsibility for that prescription
• Decision and rationale documented