NHS England has moved closer to the wider use of electronic prescriptions for some controlled drugs in secondary care and the health and justice system.
The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) – a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Home Office – has given its support to a proposal for legislative changes to allow e-prescribing of Schedule 2 and 3 controlled drugs.
These are drugs include methadone, diamorphine, cannabis and barbiturates that can be legally supplied under prescription by pharmacists and doctors.
Currently a prescription requires a paper copy for dispensing of the drug in all circumstances. But NHS England has proposed a change in the law, on which it has consulted with ACMD, to legalise e-prescriptions.
ACMD has now published its response, saying it recommends that the Home Office amends the relevant regulations, having been assured that hospitals and health and justice settings would have the appropriate security in place.
Sufficient assurances
“The ACMD have been given assurances by NHS England that the existing security of electronic prescribing systems is sufficient to ensure the electronic prescribers authorisation is attributable and auditable,” the response document says. “NHS England have confirmed the proposals would apply to staff working in third sector healthcare organisations.”
It adds that the change is expected to reduce the overall risks of diversion and misuse of the drugs in the relevant settings.
