Technical errors on Schedule 2 and 3 Controlled Drug prescriptions
Amendments to the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 enable a pharmacist to make changes to prescriptions for Schedule 2 and 3 Controlled Drugs except temazepam (see below) in certain circumstances where the prescription
does not comply with the CD prescription requirements but where the
prescriber’s intentions are absolutely clear, provided that the
pharmacist:
(a) Having exercised due diligence, is satisfied on reasonable grounds
that the prescription is genuine;
(b) Having exercised all due diligence, is satisfied on reasonable grounds
that he is supplying the drug in accordance with the intention of the
person issuing the prescription;
(c) Amends the prescription in ink or otherwise indelibly to correct
the minor typographical errors or spelling mistakes so that the prescription
complies with Regulation 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 (which
requires the total quantity to be in both words and figures); and
(d) Marks the prescription so that the amendment he has made under subparagraph
(c) is attributable to him.
The only errors that pharmacists may amend are:
(1) Minor spelling mistakes
(2) Minor typographical mistakes
(3) Where the total quantity of the preparation of the CD or the number
of dosage units as the case may be is specified in either words or figures
but not both, ie, either the words or the figures can be added to the
CD prescription if one or the other has been omitted
There are currently no provisions for pharmacists to make changes other
than those outlined above and where any other omissions or errors are
made, eg, the prescriber has omitted the dose or strength, the prescription
should be returned to the prescriber for amendment.
The pharmacist must ensure that the prescription is marked so that the
amendment made is attributable to him or her. The Regulations do not
specify exactly how the prescription should be marked. For example, a
pharmacist may choose to write his or her name or registration number
or signature on the prescription or could alternatively place an asterisk
by the change and place a footnote on the prescription.
Where an amendment is made by one pharmacist (A) and a second pharmacist
(B) makes a supply — for example, because there is an owing — both
pharmacists must be satisfied of the integrity of the prescription. Although
pharmacist B does not have to duplicate the amendment made by pharmacist
A, they must satisfy themselves that the prescription is genuine and
that they are supplying in accordance with the prescriber’s intention.
The Home Office has stated that in this situation Pharmacist B should
also mark the prescription to indicate that the amendment is attributable
to himself as well as Pharmacist A.
Temazepam is excluded from this change because it is exempted from the
CD prescription requirements (eg, requirement for total quantity to be
expressed in words and figures) that apply to all other Schedule 2 and
3 CDs.
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