Quick comparison
| Physical FP10 required | CD Register entry | Safe custody | Prescription validity | Delivery method |
Schedule 2 | Yes | Yes | Yes | 28 days | Secure handover with a unique PIN code only |
Schedule 3 | Yes | Not generally | Only specific named medicines | 28 days | Secure handover with a unique PIN code only |
Schedule 4 | No | Not generally | Not generally | 28 days | Standard delivery |
Schedule 5 | No | Not generally | Not generally | 6 months | Standard delivery |
Schedule 2
Schedule 2 medicines require a valid prescription. You need a physical FP10 Controlled Drug prescription to dispense these. The prescription must meet Controlled Drug legal requirements, the medicine must be entered into the Controlled Drug Register, and safe custody requirements apply.
🗒️ Note: The patient can only schedule their delivery and pay for the prescription once the FP10 has been checked in at the pharmacy.
🗒️ Note: Deliveries can't be left in a safe place or posted through a letterbox. They must be handed over securely with a unique PIN code.
Schedule 3
Schedule 3 medicines require a valid prescription. A physical FP10 Controlled Drug prescription is required for dispensing in the community. The prescription must meet Controlled Drug legal requirements. A Controlled Drug Register entry isn't generally required.
🗒️ Note: Safe custody doesn't apply to all Schedule 3 medicines. Under the Misuse of Drugs (Safe Custody) Regulations 1973, it applies only to specific named medicines, including buprenorphine and temazepam. Several common Schedule 3 medicines, such as tramadol, gabapentin, pregabalin, and midazolam, are specifically exempt.
🗒️ Note: The patient can only schedule their delivery and pay for the prescription once the FP10 has been checked in at the pharmacy.
🗒️ Note: Deliveries can't be left in a safe place or posted through a letterbox. They must be handed over securely with a unique PIN code.
Schedule 4
Schedule 4 medicines require a prescription, but aren't subject to the additional Controlled Drug prescription requirements. Standard FP10 prescribing procedures apply, and a physical Controlled Drug FP10 isn't required. Controlled Drug Register entries and safe custody requirements generally don't apply.
🗒️ Note: Like Schedule 2 and 3, a Schedule 4 prescription (physical and digital) is only valid for 28 days from the date it's signed. To reflect this, we automatically expire the order 28 days after creation if the patient hasn't scheduled delivery by then.
Schedule 5
Schedule 5 medicines require a prescription if they're prescription-only, but standard prescribing procedures apply. A physical Controlled Drug FP10 isn't required. These medicines are exempt from most Controlled Drug requirements because they contain low strengths of controlled drugs.
🗒️ Note: A Schedule 5 prescription is valid for 6 months from the date it's signed, the same as a standard prescription.