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Diarrhoea with blood — GPhC CRA MCQ

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HardGastrointestinal TherapeuticsDiarrhoea with bloodGPhC CRA

An FP10 for a Schedule 4 controlled drug was signed on 2 March and specifies an appropriate date of 16 March. It is presented before any dispensing has occurred. From which date is the 28-day prescription-validity period calculated?

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Correct answer: A — From 16 March, because the later specified appropriate date starts the validity period

Schedule 2, 3 and 4 controlled-drug prescriptions are valid for 28 days from the appropriate date. When both a signature date and a later date before which supply must not occur are present, the later date is the appropriate date, so 16 March starts the period. Presentation and first dispensing do not reset it. The general six-month FP10 validity does not apply to Schedule 2–4 controlled drugs, and any owing balance must also be supplied within the same 28-day period.

Reference: NHSBSA: Time limits for dispensing FP10 prescriptions. https://faq.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/knowledgebase/article/KA-01561/en-us