Prescription Requirements - help us to help you!

As a GPhC registered pharmacy we must have the original hard copy prescription before we can dispatch any private prescriptions, whether human or veterinary. If your prescriber has only emailed you a copy of the prescription, please forward this email to prescriptions@chemist.net along with your order number once you have placed the order and we will request the original hardcopy from your vets. Please note that a print out of this emailed prescription is not a legally valid original prescription.

Before sending us your prescription, please check your prescription against the checklist(s) below. If anything is missing or incorrect, this will delay us dispensing your prescription as we will need to contact your prescriber, and potentially wait for them to reissue and post the prescription. Please do not write anything on the front of the prescription as this may invalidate it.

Before ordering, please check how the prescription is written. If the prescription states, for example, 1 bottle with 3 repeats then legally we can only dispense one bottle at a time, up to a maximum of 4 bottles in total. In this instance you will need to order one bottle initially and another bottle a few days before the last runs out. If the prescription is for 4 bottles with no repeats then we will need to issue 4 bottles at the same time so you should order 4 bottles.

If a brand name is stated on the prescription, we can only supply the specified brand, not the generic.

Human Prescriptions	Veterinary Prescriptions
✅ The prescription is written in indelible ink (either computer generated or handwritten in pen).	✅ The prescription is written in indelible ink (either computer generated or handwritten in pen).
✅ It is the original, signed in pen by the prescriber.	✅ It is the original, signed in pen by the prescriber.
✅ It is dated and will reach us within 6 months of the prescribed date (unless for a controlled drug, please see additional requirements below).	✅ It is dated and will reach us within 6 months of the prescribed date, or the expiry date written on the prescription if shorter (for controlled drugs, please see additional requirements below). If the veterinary surgeon has written repeats, then repeats must be redeemed before the expiry date (maximum 6 months).
✅ The prescription states the name and address of the patient.	✅ The prescription states the name and species of the animal.
✅ The prescription contains the age or date of birth of the patient if under the age of 12 years.	✅ The prescription states the name and address of the owner or keeper, and the address at which the animal is kept if ifferent to the address of the owner or keeper.
✅ The prescription states the name, form and amount of the medicine prescribed. Please check carefully that they have correctly stated tablets/capsules etc.	✅ The prescription states the name, form and amount of the medicine prescribed. Please check carefully that they have correctly stated tablets/capsules etc.
✅ The prescription states the dosage and administration instructions. Please note capsules cannot be split.	✅ The prescription states the dosage and administration instructions. Please note capsules cannot be split.
✅ The prescription states the name, address and qualifications and registration number of the prescriber.	✅ The prescription states the name, address and qualifications of the prescribing veterinary surgeon.
	✅ If the prescription is for a human medication the prescription states that the medication is prescribed in accordance with the cascade.

Additional requirements for Controlled Drugs

Human Prescriptions	Veterinary Prescriptions
✅ The prescription will reach us to be dispensed within 28 days of the issue date.	✅ The prescription will reach us to be dispensed within 28 days of the issue date.
✅ The prescription clearly states the full dosage (‘as directed’ on its own is not permitted).	✅ The prescription clearly states the full dosage (‘as directed’ on its own is not permitted).
✅ The prescription states the total quantity/dosage units of the preparation in both words and figures (for liquids, total volume in ml).	✅ The prescription states the total quantity/dosage units of the preparation in both words and figures (for liquids, total volume in ml).
✅ The prescription does not contain repeats.	✅ The prescription does not contain repeats.
✅ The prescription states the patient's date of birth.	✅ The prescription states the registration number of the prescribing veterinary surgeon.
✅ The prescription is written on form FP10PCD.
✅ The prescriptions states ‘for dental treatment only’ is issued by a dentist.