Are doctors allowed to prescribe for themselves

[Iftheclouds]

Or not

No

No. Definitely not.

No. It's against the Code of Ethics and they can be struck off.

No and nor family/ friends

Someone I know did (in a moment of madness). Came to his senses, never went to collect the prescription. Still got struck off.

Actually they can. It’s not recommended and it’s different for controlled drugs but it’s not a black and white issue.

@20bloodypounds they genuinely got removed from the register for writing a prescription but not fulfilling it? That’s incredibly unusual - genuinely surprised because it’s amazing what doctors get a slapped wrist for if they “are very sorry”.

As the previous poster said, you are actually allowed to prescribe for yourself & family. Controlled drugs would obviously raise eyebrows.
Used to be able to do it just with a GMC number but things are much tighter than they used to be.

It's not illegal, but it can be highly questionable and doctors might face investigation and sanction for anything other than the most non-controversial script.

It also rather depends on where you are - if very remote, then it might be the best pragmatic solution.

If it's a private prescription, then it'll take a while and a pattern of behaviour before anyone even noticed what was happening.

Though pharmacists might question anything not on a good letterhead, and outside major cities it's not that common to handle private prescriptions at all

They can in emergencies, my husband prescribed medication for himself when we had gone away and he left his diabetes medication at home. It was a repeat of his normal prescription and only enough to last till we got home.

We know a gp who prescribed for herself several times and she was flagged up to the GMC and told off. It was for birth control.

"Used to be able to do it just with a GMC number but things are much tighter than they used to be."

Does this mean there are several "levels" to having a GMC number.

Different levels of trust?

lunar

Apt name for this question: Was is for MAP?

It means they've had a bit of a clampdown on how private prescriptions are presented.

It's not a fitness to practice to issue, but a prescribing standards one

No. Can't look up own test results either.

Yes you can. As you can for friends and family. Just need a GMC number and a piece of paper. Obviously there are ethical issues to consider as well and clearly you’d be nuts to prescribe yourself a bunch of opiates and benzodiazepines but no one will be interested in a doctor prescribing some antibiotics or anti fungals as a one off!

This is an ethical issue rather than a legal one. It is permissible for a doctor to self prescribe (and look up test results!) but should be avoided unless it is to alleviate immediate risk or harm. It is permissible to treat friends and family so long as the relationship is recorded in the medical notes and the patient has given their informed consent.

If in any doubt, this is covered in the Ethical Code on the GMC website.

Hmmm, a GP at my local practice has fairly recently been struck off after prescribing for a friend. It was an emergency as friend had been visiting from another area and had run out of/lost medication that they couldn’t be left without for even a few days. Admitted to it, got struck off.

Maybe there was more to it but I’m not sure why, if there was, it wouldn’t have been reported .

However.

Ethics and Law are sometimes two levels - intervening.

For the layperson; what is the definitive answer?

Foe example. In my workplace the ethics/law says you must wear red shoes for work. The law says you don't have to work, however if you dof you do, wear what they say, unless it is unlawful/unethical.

What is the definitive Code AND Law as set out by the English/Wales (plus Wales), Scottish And Northern Ireland governments?

"for

Someone I know prescribed for his friend and was hauled up for it but not struck off. Slimming pills but I don’t know what.

You can search for MPTS rulings here. You'll see that it is very unusual for a GP to get struck off. If you select any listing you can see the full ruling.

www.mpts-uk.org/hearings-and-decisions/medical-practitioners-tribunals#decisionsTabLink

@PurpleHoodie Here is the ethical code. There's no law that states you can self prescribe, because laws in general only state what you cannot do. I can't expand on your example because it makes no sense.

www.gmc-uk.org/ethical-guidance/ethical-guidance-for-doctors/prescribing-and-managing-medicines-and-devices/need-and-objectivity

No. Technically you can. But no.

Same goes for friends and family members.

In the good old days you could turn up having self-prescribed yourself some antibiotics on the back of a fag packet and pay cost price - it was a bargain.

But no, you should not attempt to be your own doctor.

I seem to remember Shipham had to steal all his personal use drugs

@PurpleHoodie
Sorry, didn’t articulate very well. You used to just be able to scribble your GMC number on a scrap of paper rather than an actual prescription. Not smart but legal