Classification of Medicines and Prescriptions

Who can issue prescriptions in Ireland?

Registered medical practitioners

Registered dentist

What are the legal requirements in a prescription?

The name and the address of the prescriber and state whether registered medical practitioner , dentist or nurse

Date of Issue 

The name and the address of the person whom prescription is issued and age

Signature of prescriber

How long is the prescription valid for?

The standard period of validity for a prescription is 6 months from the date of issue specified on it

Outline the dispensing requirements

Prescription validity written

Currently valid for 6 months from the date of issue 

Where a pharmacy receives a prescription via Healthmail, the pharmacist must print it.

The printed copy serves as the original copy under the regulations for the purposes of record keeping

The printed copy of prescriptions received via Healthmail together with the electronic version of the prescription must be retained for 2 years in the pharmacy an be available for inspection.

In a prescription, what does Rx, Sig and Mitte mean?

Rx= take

Sig= Let it be labelled

Mitte= supply

What does 1OD, 1BD/BID, 1TDS/TID, 1QDS/QID, 1 mane, 1 nocte, prn, MDU, a.c, p.c, stat,

Mitte1/52, Mitte 1/12 mean?

1 OD = Take ONE ONCE a day

1 BD or 1 BID =

Take ONE

TWICE a day

1 TDS or 1 TID =

Take ONE THREE times a day

•

•1 QDS or 1 QID = Take ONE FOUR TIMES a day

•1 mane = Take ONE in the MORNING

•1 nocte = Take ONE at NIGHT

•prn = Take As Required

•MDU – as directed

•a.c – before food (ante cibum)

•p.c. –after food (post cibum)

•stat - immediately

•Mitte 1/52 = Dispense one week supply

•Mitte 1/12 = Dispense  one month supply