The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 270 No 7236 p216
15 February 2003

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Health of Wales Information Service (more)

Welsh GPs able to prescribe more CDs by instalments

General practitioners in Wales are now able to prescribe a wider range of Controlled Drugs by instalments for the treatment of addiction. This includes benzo- diazepines, buprenorphine, codeine and dihydrocodeine.

Previously, GPs in Wales were only able to prescribe drugs by instalments if they were listed in Schedule 2 of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001. This has now been extended to cover Schedules 2 to 5. Prescribing by instalments remains limited to 14 days of treatment on a daily basis. Pharmacy contractors in both England and Wales who dispense a lawful Welsh prescription by instalments will be entitled to be paid in the same way, Welsh Health Circular WHC(2003)011 says.