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Schedule 2 CD Prescription Requirements — SCE Palliative Medicine MCQ

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EasyLegal & Ethical FrameworkSchedule 2 CD Prescription RequirementsSCE Palliative Medicine

A palliative care pharmacist asks about the legal requirements for prescribing diamorphine in the community for pain relief. What specific prescription requirements apply to Schedule 2 controlled drugs in the UK?

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Correct answer: B — Prescription must include as the preferred next step

Schedule 2 controlled drugs, including diamorphine for palliative use, require enhanced prescription standards under UK law. The prescription must state patient name/address, drug form and strength, total quantity in both words and figures, dose and frequency, and be signed and dated by the prescriber. EPS‑compliant electronic prescriptions with advanced electronic signature are permitted. A Home Office licence is not required for medical/palliative prescribing (only for addiction treatment), community pharmacies may dispense, and these drugs absolutely do require prescriptions — making B the only correct choice.

Reference: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/conditions-and-diseases/cancer/palliative-care