Private Prescription Requirements

VPR Pharmacy dispenses medicines only against a valid private prescription that complies with all applicable UK legal and professional requirements.

Prescription Validity

Most medical cannabis products prescribed as Schedule 2 Controlled Drugs are valid for 28 days from the date the prescription is signed.

To avoid delays or expiry, prescriptions should be posted to VPR Pharmacy as soon as possible after they are issued.

Expired prescriptions cannot be dispensed, and a new prescription will be required from your prescriber.

Prescription Verification

Before dispensing any medicine, our pharmacists verify that:

  • The prescription complies with legal requirements.
  • The prescriber is authorised to prescribe the medicine.
  • The prescription is within its legal validity period.
  • The medicine can be supplied safely and appropriately.

If clarification is required, we will contact the prescriber before dispensing.

Identity Verification

Where appropriate, VPR Pharmacy may request proof of identity or confirmation of patient details to comply with legal, regulatory and professional requirements and to help protect patients from prescription fraud.

If you have any questions regarding prescription requirements, please contact our pharmacy team before sending your prescription.

Accepted Prescription Formats

We accept original paper private prescriptions sent by post only. We cannot dispense medicines from photocopies, scanned copies, emailed prescriptions or faxed prescriptions unless permitted by current legislation.

Controlled Drug Prescriptions

Many medical cannabis products are classified as Schedule 2 Controlled Drugs. To prescribe these medicines, doctors must use the appropriate designated private controlled drug prescription forms:

FP10PCDSS – Computer-generated private controlled drug prescription.

FP10PCDNC – Handwritten private controlled drug prescription.

These prescriptions must include:

  • The prescriber’s full name and address.
  • The prescriber’s Private Prescriber Identification Number (PPIN).
  • The patient’s full name and address.
  • The medicine prescribed, including strength, formulation and quantity.
  • Clear dosage instructions.
    The prescriber’s signature and the date of signing.

Medical Cannabis Prescribing

Under current UK regulations, only doctors listed on the General Medical Council (GMC) Specialist Register may initiate prescriptions for unlicensed cannabis-based products for medicinal use.

General Practitioners (GPs) do not normally initiate prescriptions for medical cannabis, although they may participate in a patient’s ongoing care where appropriate.