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When and how can dentists supply medicines?

Published
Topics: DentistryPrimary Care and PCNsRegulatory

This updated Medicines Q&A aims to explain the legal status of medicines in the UK and when and how they may be supplied by dentists to patients.

Summary

  • The Human Medicines Regulations 2012 allow dentists to supply any medicine directly to a patient receiving private treatment.
  • Current NHS terms of service do not allow dentists to supply medicines directly to NHS patients, except for medicines for immediate use before the issue of a prescription, and General Sales List (GSL) medicines.
  • The Human Medicines Regulations 2012 enable registered dental therapists and registered dental hygienists to sell, supply and administer specified medicines under a Patient Group Direction.
  • Prescription Only Medicines issued directly to a patient must be labelled in accordance with the Human Medicines Regulations 2012.
  • GSL medicines can be supplied by all members of the dental team; staff should follow simple protocols.
  • An Appendix to this Medicines Q&A helps to put the legal framework into a practical context

Attachments