ABSTRACT

Prescribing of medicines is governed by statute, guidelines and policies. The law in relation to prescribing has been through some changes in recent years with extended powers of prescribing to non-medical health professionals and the concept of supplementary prescribers. It is important to ensure that there is compliance with the conditions attached to the particular mechanism, such as under nurse prescribing, supplementary prescribing or a patient group directive, for example. The general principles regarding responsibility apply to prescribing and administering medication. The Medicines Act 1968, which was prompted by the thalidomide experience, was introduced to bring together previous legislation and introduce new provisions for the control of medicines. Medicinal drugs are classified into three categories to reflect their particular associated dangers and potential for misuse. The categories are Prescription-only medicines (POMs), Pharmacy medicines (P) and General sales list medicines (GSLs).