Last review date 03/02/2023
Pregabalin and Gabapentin are to be reclassified as Schedule 3 Controlled Drugs from April 2019
SystmOne will start treating these medications as Controlled Drugs from 19th March.
SystmOne will also be making the following changes:
- Scripts produced for Pregabalin or Gabapentin prior to 19th March from SystmOne will not be legally dispensable after 1st April.
- Scripts produced for Pregabalin or Gabapentin from SystmOne after 19th March will only be valid for 28 days.
- It will not be possible to repeat dispense Pregabalin or Gabapentin after 19th March.
- Whether or not the dispensing of Pregabalin and Gabapentin needs to be countersigned will be controlled by the organisation preference "Dispensing of controlled drugs must be countersigned" under Dispensing & Stock Control > Stock Control.
- The ability to variably dispense Pregabalin and Gabapentin will be controlled by the organisation preference "Allow variable dispensing of variable dose controlled drugs" under Prescribing > FP10MDA Printing.
Repeat Dispensing
From the 1st of April 2019, Pregabalin and Gabapentin can not be dispensed form a repeat dispensing prescription. Patients who had Pregabalin or Gabapentin on a repeat dispensing prescription will need to be identified and switched to a normal repeat prescription.
Quantity and Directions
Under the controlled drug regulations the dose for Pregabalin and Gabapentin must be clearly written. Directions of "as directed" are not legally valid. There is a good practice requirement that the quantity of Schedule 3 CDs be limited to a maximum of 30 days treatment.