Lynam Pharma

Individual paramedics may order any prescription only medicines (POM) from Schedule 17 of the Human Medicines Regulations 2012. They may also order any pharmacy (P) or general sales list (GSL) medicines for administration to a patient. 

They may not order of any medicine unless they obtain a doctor’s signature and GMC number or a doctor’s letter of authority (LOA) for themselves for ordering any POM including schedule 19 medicines which anybody can administer to save a life. 

A reminder that a letter of authority is only valid for 12 months and must renewed. 

Paramedics can be either independent or supplementary prescribers. An independent prescriber is able to prescribe, on their own initiative, any medicine within their scope of practice and relevant legislation.

All independent prescribers are unable to prescribe any controlled drugs on schedules 2 to 5, this includes codeine and co-codamol.

Schedule 17 morphine will require a private requisition number. 

In order for paramedics to requisition controlled drugs they must:

• Register with their local controlled drugs accountable officer (CDAO), this will typically be through the medicines management team at their local clinical commission group / health board / integrated care system.
• Obtain a private Controlled drugs requisition / prescribing code.
• The CDAO may request standard operating procedures for the purchase, recording, safe storage and disposal of the controlled drugs. The college recommends that this good practice and should be followed by all paramedics even if not required. 
• Requisitions must be written on approved stationery only. 
• Paramedics must adhere to law regarding safe storage, recording and disposal of controlled drugs.