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How should dentists prescribe, store, order and dispose of controlled drugs?

Publisher: North West Medicines Information Centre

Keywords: midazolam; temazepam; prescribing; controlled drugs; dentists; drug storage; drug disposal; misuse of drugs act.

Date published: 01/06/2011 12:27

Review date: 30/06/2013 12:00

Summary
by: Christine Randall
  • Private prescriptions
    Dentists must use the private prescription form FP10PCD* when prescribing Schedule 2 and 3 controlled drugs. A dentist can prescribe privately any Schedule 2 or 3 controlled drug on an FP10PCD form, as long as it meets the dental needs of the patient. Pharmacists may challenge private controlled drug prescriptions if they feel that the controlled drug has no recognised dental use. FP10PCD forms should be obtained from Primary Care Trusts (PCTs), even if the dentist has no NHS contract with the PCT.
  • NHS prescriptions
    The standard FP10D** prescription form should be used to prescribe controlled drugs. Dentists can only prescribe controlled drugs included in the DPF list (e.g. temazepam, diazepam, dihydrocodeine).
  • The Department of Health recommends that the patient’s NHS number is included on all controlled drug prescriptions. This is not yet mandatory but may be in the future.
  • NHS and private controlled drug (Schedule 2, 3 or 4) prescriptions are valid for 28 days.
  • Patients, or their representatives, collecting Schedule 2 and 3 controlled drugs must sign for them when collecting from the pharmacy. 
  • Storage and disposal of controlled drugs
  • Midazolam (Schedule 3) does not need to be kept in a controlled drug cabinet and records do not have to be kept in a controlled drug register. If temazepam (Schedule 3) is held in a dental practice it must be stored in a controlled drug cabinet but no record in the controlled drug register is required.
  • It is a legal requirement that invoices for Schedule 2 to 5 controlled drugs are kept for a minimum of two years.
  • All Schedule 2, 3, and 4 (part 1) controlled drugs, including midazolam, must be denatured or rendered irretrievable before they are disposed of.
  • All practices holding controlled drugs e.g. midazolam, are legally required to have Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure they are safely managed. The PCT Accountable Officer is required by law to ensure that these SOPs are adequate and up to date.
  • The Care Quality Commission (CQC) will check compliance with CD regulations as part of Outcome 9 – Management of Medicines.
How_should_dentists_prescribe_store_order_and_dispose_of_controlled_drugs_QA178_2.doc

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