South Australian Numbered Regulations

CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES (POISONS) REGULATIONS 2011 (NO 140 OF 2011) - REG 34

34—Written prescriptions

        (1)         A prescriber who writes a prescription for the supply of a drug must—

            (a)         date the prescription with the date on which the prescription is written and sign the prescription; and

            (b)         include on the prescription—

                  (i)         his or her professional name, address and telephone number; and

                  (ii)         the full name and address of the person for whom the prescription is intended or, if the prescription is intended for an animal, the species of animal for which it is intended, the name and address of the owner of the animal and the name (if any) of the animal; and

                  (iii)         the words—

                        (A)         "For dental treatment only" if the prescriber is a dentist; or

                        (B)         "For podiatric treatment only" if the prescriber is a podiatrist; or

                        (C)         "For animal treatment only" if the prescriber is a veterinary surgeon; and

            (c)         specify on the prescription—

                  (i)         the name, dose form and (if relevant) the route of administration of the drug being prescribed; and

                  (ii)         if applicable—the strength of the drug; and

                  (iii)         the dose of the drug to be administered to the person for whom, or the animal for which, it is prescribed; and

                  (iv)         the frequency at which the drug is to be administered; and

                  (v)         the total amount of the drug to be supplied each time the prescription is dispensed; and

                  (vi)         the total number of times the drug may be dispensed; and

            (d)         if the prescription is for a drug of dependence for human use, comply with the following additional requirements:

                  (i)         include on the prescription the date of birth of the person for whom the prescription is intended;

                  (ii)         express the total amount of the drug to be specified under subparagraph (c)(v) in both words and numerals;

                  (iii)         keep a record of the details required to be included and specified under this regulation.

Maximum penalty: $3 000.

        (2)         If a prescriber writes a prescription for an above average strength or potentially dangerous dose of a drug, he or she must—

            (a)         underline the statement of the dose of the drug on the prescription; and

            (b)         sign his or her initials alongside the underlined portion of the prescription referred to in paragraph (a).

Maximum penalty: $3 000.

        (3)         For the purposes of this regulation, a prescriber who, in accordance with the terms of an exemption under regulation 33(5) is permitted to transmit prescriptions electronically, will be taken to have signed a prescription as required by subregulation (1), or signed a portion of a prescription as required by subregulation (2), if the prescriber attaches an electronic signature to the prescription in accordance with any conditions of the exemption.