The GP surgery leaflet will
inform patients about prescribing arrangements including the method
by which they may obtain repeat prescriptions. It will also explain
whether the GP is a dispensing doctor (i.e. can dispense directly
from the practice pharmacy), and how their prescriptions are
dispensed.
The leaflet will also tell
patients whether a
repeat dispensing scheme is
available, enabling their medicines to be dispensed in several
episodes direct from the pharmacy, rather than going back to their
GP each time. These arrangements apply mainly to patients with
chronic conditions who are likely to remain stable for the duration
of the repeat dispensing.
Not only GPs have the
right to prescribe medicines to patients. For some time
specially qualified nurses and pharmacists have been able to
prescribe certain types of drugs. From mid-2006 Extended Formulary
nurse prescribers and pharmacist independent prescribers will be
able to prescribe any licensed medicine for any medical condition -
with the exception of controlled drugs such as morphine.
The
DH has published a brief guide -
Medicines
Matters - describing the
mechanisms available for the prescribing, supply and administration
of medicines.Patients who use certain
medicines on a long-term basis will often be invited by their
pharmacist to a
medicines
use review. This will usually take place in the
local pharmacy and will focus on how patients
are getting on with their medicines.
Several other guides advise
doctors on their general professional duties when
prescribing and on good practice in difficult prescribing
situations that they may encounter. Patients will also find
this a useful source of information.