Type of prescription forms
Paper form
- Green (Paper form: FP10SS, FP10NC, FP10HNC)
- Blue (FP10MDA-SS, FP10MDA-S, FP10MDA-SP, FP10MDA-SP)
- Yellow (FP10D)
- Lilac (FP10PN, FP10SP, FP10P-REC (Non-FP10 supply form))
- Pink (FP10PCDSS, FP10PCDNC)
Electronic prescription
- White online (FP10CDF)
Prescription regulations and rules
Brand-name and non-proprietary names (generic substitutions)
International non-proprietary name
Quantity of unique medicines per one prescription
Unlimited
Number of medicine packages per one prescription
Unlimited
Controlled drugs (narcotics and psychotropic substances)
Controlled drugs (CDs) prescription writing requirements: To be valid, in addition to the normal prescription requirements for Prescription Only Medicines (as required by the Human Medicines Regulations 2012), prescriptions for Schedule 2 and 3 CDs must also contain the following (as outlined in The Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001): patient name and address, drug name, Dose (‘as directed’ on its own is not permitted), formulation, strength (where appropriate), total quantity/dosage units of the preparation in both words and figures (for liquids, total volume in ml), prescriber signature and address, date of issue. For instalment prescriptions, specify the instalment amount AND instalment interval. The words “for dental treatment only” written on it if issued by a dentist. The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has issued strong recommendations that prescriptions for Schedule 2, 3 and 4 CDs are limited to the quantity necessary for up to 30 days’ treatment. Exceptionally, where a prescriber believes that a prescription for a CD should be issued for a longer period he/she may do so where there is a genuine clinical need and it does not pose an unacceptable risk to patient safety. Pharmacists can dispense prescriptions ordering more than 30 days’ supply of any Schedule 2, 3 and 4 CDs. Prescriptions for Schedule 2, 3 and 4 CDs are only valid for 28 days from the appropriate date (i.e. date of signing unless the prescriber indicates a date before which the CD should not be dispensed).
Validity of prescription
All types of FP10 prescriptions for all medicinal products including Schedule 5 Controlled Drugs (CDs) (excluding requests for Schedule 1, 2, 3 or 4 CDs) – end of validity is 6 months from the ‘appropriate date’ (either the date the prescription was signed or a date indicated by the prescriber as the date before which the drug cannot be supplied)
References
- https://psnc.org.uk/dispensing-supply/receiving-a-prescription/is-this-prescription-form-valid/
- https://psnc.org.uk/dispensing-supply/receiving-a-prescription/is-this-prescription-form-valid/period-of-validity/
- https://psnc.org.uk/dispensing-supply/dispensing-a-prescription/
- https://psnc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/CPN_0221_Dispensing-Factsheet-Dispensing-prescriptions-for-Controlled-Drugs.pdf