Dental Practitioner's Formulary essential for drug information.
Abbreviations not essential, but useful:
BD: twice per day
Tds: three times each day
Qds/qid: four times each day
Nocte: at night
Prn: as required
Ql: as much as desired
Qh: hourly
Essential information:
a] Name and address of prescriber
b] Name and address of patient
c] Date
d] The preparation – official name (e.g. ampicillin)
N.B.: the proprietary name limits the pharmacist to a specific product; the generic drug name allows him to provide the most convenient product.
e] Form (tablets, capsules, etc)
f] Dosage and total quantity to be dispensed
g] Prescriber's signature
- Remember, some preparations are cheaper than the prescription charge if bough over the counter.
SOURCES OF REFERENCE:
- DPF – Dental Practitioner’s Formulary. Contains all drugs that can be prescribed by a dentist under the NHS. Any other drug, within the terms of the Misuse of Drugs Act, can be prescribed privately.
- BNF – British National Formulary. Gives a wider selection of drugs. Useful for information regarding drugs being taken by patients prescribed by their GMP. Constantly revised (new edition every six months).
- MIMS – Monthly Index of Medical Specialities. Gives a list of proprietary and official names of all available drugs. Recommended dosages and minimal information on side effects and contraindications.
- Data Sheets – published by drug companies – give information on:
Presentation
Concentration of drug in each form
Uses
Dosage and administration
Contraindications and warnings
Effects of overdose
Pharmaceutical precautions
Legal category of drug
Quantities in manufacturers’ packages
Further information
MISUSE OF DRUGS REGULATIONS 1973:
- Replaces the DDA: Dangerous Drugs Act
- Controls the prescribing of addictive drugs.
- Dental surgeon can keep in stock, administer or prescribe controlled drugs only if genuinely needed for dental purposes.
- Important drugs of addiction are:
1. Opiates – including morphine derivatives
2. Stimulants of the Central Nervous System: cocaine and amphetamines.
Controlled drugs divided into three classes:
Class A – addictive and harmful.
Class B – oral amphetamines, cannabis, codeine
Class C – related to amphetamines
PRESCRIBING CONTROLLED DRUGS:
- The address of the prescriber must be in the U.K.
- The pharmacist must be familiar with the signature of the prescriber.
- Drug must not be dispensed after 13 weeks of the prescription date.
- The entire prescription must be in the handwriting of the prescriber and in ink.
Must show:
The prescriber’s name
Patient's name and address
Form of preparations
Strength of preparation
Total quantity in both words and figures
Prescription must be endorsed:
FOR DENTAL TREATMENT ONLY
Usual signature of prescriber
Date
PRIVATE PRESCRIBING:
- A prescription may be written on any form of paper (not NHS F.P.14 form). The prescriber’s name and address must be clearly visible. Same rules apply, as above, the patient will have to pay the full cost.