The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 270 No 7237 p266
22 February 2003

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Letters to the Editor

Repeat prescribing

Illegibility of prescriptions

From Mr P. F. Pavey, MRPharmS

I agree with Walter Fisher (PJ, 15 February, p230) about illegibility of computer-printed prescriptions. I have recently contacted the author of a newsletter circulated to practices in our local health authority hoping that this issue might be raised since, besides irritation to ourselves, there are cost and clinical governance issues to be considered.

The patient (who may be elderly and have poorer eyesight than we do) might have to request items from the list printed on the repeat portion of the FP10 — a great risk of errors here. Only last week I had an incident where a patient was expecting beclometasone inhalers but had a prescription issued for beclometasone nasal spray. Both items were on the repeat list.

This type of incident can lead to wastage and delays in getting the correct medication. Inkjet printers and larger type faces are the solution. Let your local surgery know if you believe you have a problem.

Patrick Pavey
Romsey, Hampshire

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