Theory of Prescription - Medicines in Brunei are divided into 3 classes: GSL, P, and POM which can only be supplied with a prescription. - A prescription is a legal document written by a prescriber that orders a POM medicine. Supplying a POM without a prescription is a criminal offence. - A prescription contains information like the patient's name and ID, medicine name and dosage, and prescriber's contact details. It is signed and dated by the prescriber. - Pharmacists dispense prescriptions by supplying the correct medicine, recording what was dispensed, and providing counselling to the patient. They must keep accurate records for legal and patient safety reasons.

1. THEORY OF
PRESCRIPTION
UBD BSC PHARM
Daniel Wee
MPharm
MSc Clincal Pharmacy
GPhC

2. Theory of Prescription
• The Medicine Order of Brunei Darussalam
restricts the sales and supply of medicines
• Medicines are divided into 3 classes
• GSL
• P
• POM

3. Medicine Order
• A prescription is an order for POM
• Legal document from a prescriber
• Sales and supply of POM without a
prescription is a criminal offence

4. Simple Paper Prescription

5. NHS
FP10
(UK)

6. E-prescription (BruHIMS)

7. What’s in a prescription?
• Patient name
• Patient BN number (or an identifier such as IC number or
Date of Birth)
• Patient age (and weight for paediatric <12 years old)
• Date of prescription
• Name of medicine (in generic preferably)
• Dosage instructions and number of supplies
• Signature and Stamp
• Contact details of prescriber

8. Latin abbreviation in prescription
• Short forms in prescription are traditionally written
in Latin
• Check behind BNF
• Modern e-prescriptions will usually have full
direction in English

9. What do pharmacist do with
prescriptions?
• Dispensing
• Recording
• Supply date
• Supplied amount
• Pharmacist identifier
• Record keeping = 2 years from date of last supply

10. Paper
prescription
Pharmacist will
dispense the
prescription
according to Dr’s
order
Marked on the
prescription items
that had been
supplied
Provide counselling
to patient

11. Exercise
• Try to “decipher” these prescriptions

14. Exemptions
• Supply of medicines without prescriptions
• Patient group direction
• Emergency supply at the request of prescriber
• Emergency supply at the request of patient
• Length of treatment
• 5 days maximum
• Single unit of insulin, inhaler, pack
• Antibiotic – a full course

15. Self-prescribe or close kin
• Although prescriptions fulfilled all legality, it is not
a good ethical move to supply
• Professional judgement of pharmacists come in
• Dr are bound by good practice NOT to self-
prescribe or for close family member without
proper consultation

16. Controlled Items
• Controlled drugs and Psychotropic drugs are subjected to
additional prescription requirements
• In Brunei they are governed under Dangerous Drug Act
(Controlled Drug Act) and Psychotropic Drug Act
• Prescription MUST state
1. Dose
2. Form
3. Strength
4. Total quantity in figure and words
5. Repeat instruction if applicable

17. • Now, why do you think pharmacists play an
important in a healthcare system?
• This…..

18. An Incomplete
Prescription
for antibiotic
eye drop
Why is
duration and
dosage
important?

19. Patient given 3
medicines for
gastric acid
reflux… why is
that
inadvisable?

20. This
prescription
had so many
errors I
thought it was
a university
exam
question

21. Supply refused due
to pharmaceutical
care check

22. E-prescriptions not without their problems

23. As a pharmacist…
• It is the professional duties of pharmacist to ensure
medicines dispensed to the patients were accurate,
complete with instructions, and is medically correct for the
intended treatment of the patient’s condition.
• You are the final line of defence before medicine is given
to the patient.
• Wrong medicines may result in treatment failure, adverse
effects or harm to the patient.

24. References
• MEP Guide (UK)
• BNF
• Brunei Medicine Order
• BruHIMS