Prescribing
Prescribers are responsible for the prescriptions that they sign. They must only prescribe drugs when they have adequate knowledge of their patient’s health they must be satisfied that the drugs serve their patient’s need. For GPs, GMC has issue the guidance: Good practice in prescribing and managing medicines and devices
Useful links:
BMA – Prescribing in General Practice
Controlled drugs
All organisations involved in the prescribing, supply, administration or disposal of controlled drugs (CDs) must meet the requirements of The Misuse of Drugs Regulations.
The Controlled Drugs (Supervision of management and use) Regulations 2013 say that all incidents or concerns involving the safe use and management of CDs must be reported to the Controlled Drugs Accountable Officer (CDAO). All Controlled Drugs incidents or concerns in Lancashire and South Cumbria must be notified to the CDAO via the online reporting tool at www.cdreporting.co.uk If you’ve not used the tool before you’ll have to register first.
All requests for destruction’s for obsolete controlled drugs should also be made via the CD reporting tool at www.cdreporting.co.uk.
CQC guidance on the management of controlled drugs can be found on their website here.
Dispensing Practices
Only certain patients are eligible to receive dispensing services from a dispensing doctor. There are very strict regulations that govern these situations in that eligible patients must live in a designated rural area and live more than a mile from the nearest pharmacy.
The relevant regulations for England are: The National Health Service (Pharmaceutical and Local Pharmaceutical Services) Regulations 2013.