Victorian Consolidated Regulations

Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Regulations 2006 - SECT 26

Style and required particulars for prescriptions

26. Style and required particulars for prescriptions



(1) A person authorised to write a prescription under regulation 25 must write
a prescription for a Schedule 4 poison, Schedule 8 poison or Schedule 9 poison
(as the case requires)-

   (a)  in his or her own handwriting; or

   (b)  in a manner of writing approved by the Secretary.

Penalty: 50 penalty units.

(2) In approving another manner of writing a prescription under subregulation
(1)(b), the Secretary-

   (a)  must have regard to security; and

   (b)  must have regard to legibility; and

   (c)  may have regard to any other factors the Secretary considers relevant
        in the circumstances.

(3) A person authorised to write a prescription under regulation 25 must
ensure that any prescription written by the person for a Schedule 4 poison,
Schedule 8 poison or Schedule 9 poison (as the case requires) is legible and
durable and includes-

   (a)  the name, address and telephone number of the prescriber; and



   (b)  the name and address of the patient for whom the prescription is
        intended, or if a prescription is written by a veterinary
        practitioner, the name or species of animal and the name and address
        of the owner or the person having the custody of the animal; and

   (c)  the date on which the prescription was written; and

   (d)  the signature of the prescriber; and

   (e)  full particulars of the poison or controlled substance to be supplied
        including a statement of the quantity to be supplied; and

   (f)  in the case of a Schedule 8 poison or Schedule 9 poison, the statement
        of the quantity to be supplied written in words and figures; and

   (g)  directions for the precise dose or use and frequency of administration
        except in cases where-

   (i)  because of the complexity of the dosage regimen or use it is
        impracticable to do so and the prescriber has separately supplied the
        patient with written instruction; or

   (ii) the administration of the poison or controlled substance is to be
        carried out by a registered medical practitioner, veterinary
        practitioner, pharmacist, dentist, authorised optometrist, authorised
        podiatrist or nurse as the case requires; and

   (h)  the maximum number of times the prescription may be supplied if more
        than once; and

        (i)    in the case of a Schedule 8 poison or Schedule 9 poison, the
               maximum number of times the prescription may be supplied
               written in words and figures.

Penalty: 50 penalty units.

(4) A prescription for a Schedule 4 poison, Schedule 8 poison or Schedule 9
poison must not be written in a secret code or cipher.

Penalty: 50 penalty units.

(5) A prescriber must not knowingly include on a prescription for a Schedule 4
poison, Schedule 8 poison or Schedule 9 poison any particular which is false
or misleading.

Penalty: 100 penalty units.

(6) A dentist must not direct that a prescription for a Schedule 4 poison,
Schedule 8 poison or Schedule 9 poison be supplied more than once.

Penalty: 50 penalty units.