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Validity of standard prescription — GPhC CRA MCQ

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HardPharmacy Law and EthicsValidity of standard prescriptionGPhC CRA

An NHS prescription for amlodipine was signed on 2 January but states “do not dispense before 1 March”. It is first presented on 29 August of the same year and is otherwise valid. Which statement is correct?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

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Correct answer: A — It remains within six months of the appropriate date because the specified later date, 1 March, controls validity

For an ordinary non-controlled POM prescription, first dispensing must occur within six months of the appropriate date. Where the prescriber specifies a later date before which the medicine should not be supplied, that later date is the appropriate date; 29 August is within six months of 1 March. The 28-day rule is for specified controlled drugs, and chronic indication does not create 12-month validity.

Reference: Human Medicines Regulations 2012. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2012/1916/pdfs/uksi_20121916_en.pdf