Extending the scope of the Electronic Prescription Service
Applies to England
Read the full outcome
Detail of outcome
As a result of this consultation and advice from the Advisory Committee on Misuse of Drugs (ACMD), the necessary legislative amendments will be made to enable the electronic prescribing of Schedules 2 and 3 controlled drugs for NHS and private prescribers. Prescriptions will be signed with an advanced electronic signature and sent via the electronic prescription service, with its additional security features.
Respondents were in favour of these changes. There was also support for the recording of the total quantity of Schedules 2 and 3 CDs to be dispensed to be required on electronic prescriptions in words and figures, as is the case for paper prescriptions for these drugs.
Original consultation
Consultation description
The NHS Electronic Prescription Service in England enables prescribers (e.g. GPs) to send prescriptions electronically to a dispenser (e.g. pharmacist) of the patient’s choice.
Schedules 2 and 3 CDs cannot be prescribed electronically. The aim of this consultation is to get views on electronic prescribing of NHS prescriptions for these CDs. They are also prescribed in private care settings so we are asking whether these proposals should extend to private care.
The Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 divides CDs into 5 Schedules (Schedule 1 CDs have no proven therapeutic value/Schedule 5 CDs present little or no risk and are lightly regulated).
Documents
Updates to this page
Published 17 July 2014Last updated 24 March 2015 + show all updates
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Updated to add the response to the consultation on extending the scope of the Electronic Prescription Service.
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First published.