Frequently asked questions about the new requirements for CDs
Will pharmacists be able to supply Schedule 2 and 3 CDs if the person
collecting the medicine has not signed, or refuses to sign, the back
of the prescription?
Yes. Pharmacists will be expected to use their
professional judgement if the person collecting the medicine does not
wish to sign the back of the prescription. However, the Regulations
state that you must ascertain whether the person collecting a Schedule
2 CD is the patient, the patient’s representative or a health
care professional.
Will the CD requirements for take home medicines (TTAs) dispensed in
the hospital be altered in any way?
The requirements to use a standardised
prescription form and to include the prescriber’s identification
number on private prescriptions for Schedule 2 and 3 CDs will not apply
to TTAs. However, the new CD prescription requirements outlined above
will apply to hospital out patient private prescriptions that are to
be dispensed in a community pharmacy.
The requirement to check the identity of persons collecting Schedule
2 CDs will apply to all supplies of Schedule 2 CDs made against a prescription,
irrespective of whether it is a TTA or outpatient prescription.
Will a patient collecting ar CD in instalments via an FP10(MDA), or
equivalent, be required to sign the back of the prescription each time
he or she collects their medicine?
These patients will not be required
to sign for each instalment, nor will a third party collecting the CD
on the patient’s behalf. However, particular care should be exercised
when a third party collects a CD for a patient being treated for drug
dependence. A letter of authority from the patient should be obtained
on every occasion that the representative collects the medicine and this
letter should be retained in the pharmacy.
Can prescribers use adhesive labels on CD prescriptions for the
patient’s
details?
In England and Wales, although not encouraged, the patient’s
details (eg, name and address) can be attached to the CD prescription
on an adhesive label as long as the label is tamper evident. If such
a label is used, the prescriber should also sign on the label or at least
start his or her signature on the label.
In Scotland, because all prescriptions are scanned by NHS National Services
Scotland, the use of adhesive labels is not acceptable.
When does the validity of a Schedule 2, 3 or 4 CD prescription start?
The
validity of private and NHS Schedule 2, 3 and 4 CD prescriptions has
been reduced to 28 days for those issued on or after 7 July. The
28 days’ validity starts from the date the prescription is signed
by the person issuing it or the date indicated by him or her as being
the start date.
What about CD prescriptions issued before 7 July but brought into the
pharmacy for dispensing on 7 July or later?
If a private prescription
for a Schedule 2 or 3 CD was issued by a prescriber in England or Scotland
before 7 July and is not on the standardised private prescription form
and/or does not contain the prescriber’s identification number
then it is no longer legal from 7 July and may not be dispensed in England,
Scotland or Wales. The standardised private prescription form and the
requirement for a prescriber’s identification number on such a
form does not come into force in Wales until 1 January 2007.
Private prescriptions for Schedule 2 and 3 CDs issued in England or Scotland
before 7 July will remain valid for 13 weeks (91 days) provided they
are on the standardised prescription form and contain the prescriber’s
identification number. All Schedule 2 and 3 CD prescriptions issued in
Wales before 7 July will continue to be valid for 13 weeks (91 days).
NHS prescriptions for Schedule 2 and 3 CDs issued before 7 July will
continue to be valid for 13 weeks (91 days).
NHS and private prescriptions for Schedule 4 CDs issued before 7 July
will continue to be valid for six months.
Can a Schedule 2 or 3 CD private prescription issued by a prescriber
in Wales be dispensed in England or Scotland if it is not on a standardised
form?
Yes, until 1 January 2007, after which such prescriptions will
be required to be on a standardised form.
If an English or Scottish private prescription for a Schedule 2 or 3
CD is dispensed in Wales, what happens to the prescription?
A copy of
the standardised private prescription form should be sent to Health Solutions
Wales.
If a Welsh private prescription for a Schedule 2 or 3 CD is dispensed
in England or Scotland on or after 7 July, does the non-standardised
private prescription need to be sent to the relevant NHS agency in England
or Scotland?
No, the private prescription should be dispensed in the
normal way, a record made in the private prescription book and/or CD
register as applicable and the prescription kept in the pharmacy for
two years.
What will the standard operating procedure for CDs look like?
The
content of the SOP will include arrangements for checks on stocks/reconciliation
against the running balance in the CD register, arrangements for the
safe custody of CDs and access by practice or provider staff. The SOP
needs to be agreed with the PCO (potentially with the accountable officer).
The relevant government bodies will issue guidance for the development
of these SOPs.
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