Overview
GP practices are increasingly receiving correspondence from private providers, such as online pharmacies, regarding prescriptions issued without complete patient medical histories. This guidance outlines the best practices for handling these situations, balancing patient safety with the responsibilities of private prescribers.
Key Principles
Prescriber Responsibility:
- The primary responsibility for safe prescribing lies with the clinician who issues the prescription.
- Private providers must ensure they have complete and accurate patient information before prescribing.
Patient Responsibility:
- Patients have a duty to disclose relevant medical history to the prescriber.
- If the patient chooses not to share their history, this is ultimately their responsibility.
GP Practice Responsibility:
- GPs should not proactively verify the safety of private prescriptions unless there is a clear clinical concern.
- If a known contraindication exists, practices must consider their duty of care while also maintaining patient confidentiality.
Responding to Private Providers
When practices receive letters from private providers regarding prescribed medications, the attached templates can be used.
Why This Approach?
This guidance helps practices manage their duty of care without overstepping boundaries or breaching confidentiality. It also reinforces the principle that the responsibility for safe prescribing remains with the private provider.