Repeat prescriptions for controlled drugs

RE: Repeat prescriptions for controlled drugs

Stephen Courtney — Thu, 12 Apr 2018 19:05:46 GMT

If you insist on seeing your controlled drug patients every month you will soon have issues with angry clients.

And what a waste of time for a stable animal. I have enough trouble seeing clients with animals that need to come in.

RE: Repeat prescriptions for controlled drugs

Clive Ansell — Thu, 12 Apr 2018 17:03:20 GMT

[quote user="bob lehner"]Tramadol is Sch 3 - so no repeats allowed[/quote]

Sorry, I stand corrected. I had it in my head it was Sch4. I have only ever supplied or written a script for a month at a time anyway.

RE: Repeat prescriptions for controlled drugs

bob lehner — Thu, 12 Apr 2018 16:54:27 GMT

[quote user="Clive Ansell"]

Guideline is to only prescribe enough for 28 days at a time. Animal doesn't have to be seen each time.

Cannot provide a written script with repeats for Sch 3 (Epiphen) (Should write "no repeats") , but can for Sch 4 (Tramadol). scripts only valid for 28 days .

[/quote]

Tramadol is Sch 3 - so no repeats allowed.

RE: Repeat prescriptions for controlled drugs

Will McMullan — Thu, 12 Apr 2018 15:46:14 GMT

I think I was unclear, sorry. I meant repeat prescriptions through our practice, not written scripts for internet pharmacy. Currently we will dispense 30 days worth at a time, and the client can come in each month for 3-6 months depending on the vet's instructions, to collect another month's supply. I have had to produce a new written prescription monthly for one client to get epiphen online.

thanks for the replies

RE: Repeat prescriptions for controlled drugs

Clive Ansell — Thu, 12 Apr 2018 12:59:51 GMT

[quote user="Edward Jones"]The VMD advise that for all CDs, you should consider prescribing only 28 days’ worth of treatment unless in situations of long term ongoing medication (e.g. when treating epilepsy in dogs). If you prescribe more than 28 days’ worth of treatment you must be sure the owner is competent to use the medicine safely.[/quote]

[quote user="Edward Jones"]I don't see a need to insist epiphen prescriptions have to be issued every 28 days.[/quote]

The guidance is vague.

How can one be entirely sure that an owner is competent to use a medicine safely, certainly as a locum where I may not know or may have never met a particular owner.

The onus is placed upon the veterinary surgeon to assume a client is competent to use the drug.

RE: Repeat prescriptions for controlled drugs

Edward Jones — Thu, 12 Apr 2018 12:41:19 GMT

[quote user="RCVS Guidance"]

Quantity
The VMD advise that for all CDs, you should consider prescribing only 28 days’ worth of treatment unless in situations of long term ongoing medication (e.g. when treating epilepsy in dogs). If you prescribe more than 28 days’ worth of treatment you must be sure the owner is competent to use the medicine safely.

[/quote]

I don't see a need to insist epiphen prescriptions have to be issued every 28 days.

RE: Repeat prescriptions for controlled drugs

Clive Ansell — Thu, 12 Apr 2018 12:04:10 GMT

Guideline is to only prescribe enough for 28 days at a time. Animal doesn't have to be seen each time.

Cannot provide a written script with repeats for Sch 3 (Epiphen) (Should write "no repeats") , but can for Sch 4 (Tramadol). scripts only valid for 28 days . A ne written script for Epiphen should therefore be issued every 28 days.

For Sch3 only original document is valid, faxed or emailed copies are not.

RE: Repeat prescriptions for controlled drugs

Edward Jones — Thu, 12 Apr 2018 10:20:43 GMT

RCVS Controlled Drug Guidance

Repeats aren't allowed but you don't need to see the animal each time (i.e. a vet has to presribe each individual quantity, and a pharmacist can not dispense multiple times on the same prescription) .

The NHS doesn't prescribe more than 28 days worth of CDs at a time but there's no legal basis to this limit and the RCVS guidance specifically allows for more. Prescriptions can only be valid for 28 days (not the usual 6 months).

RE: Repeat prescriptions for controlled drugs

KMurphy — Thu, 12 Apr 2018 10:13:35 GMT

The patient doesn't need to be seen but you're not meant to prescribe/dispense for more than 28 days supply at one time.