PRESCRIPTION WRITING

1. PATIENT DETAILS
By NZ law, each prescription must have:
- patient's name and address.
- DOB if pt < 13 yrs old.
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2. PATIENT CODING
The status code of the pt is in 3 parts:
i) Age: Y, J, A
   - Y = 0-6 yrs
   - J  = 7-16 yrs
   - A = adult
   - O = oral contraceptive

 ii) Community service card
   - 1 = holder ($3 per prescription)
   - 3 = $15 per prescription.

iii) High user card
   - Z = $3 per prescription.

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3. MEDICINE INFO
i) Rx: Name, Form & Strength
  -  Eg Digoxin tabs 0.25mg.
ii) Sig: Dose
  -  Eg 1 tab daily
iii) Mitte: Duration / Quantity
  - Normal maximum = 3mo
  - Controlled drugs = 1mo
  - Contraceptives = 6mo
  - Other special cases
  - Give a finite quantity for PRN meds.

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PRESCRIBER'S DETAIL
Sign the prescription:
- Signature, not initials.
- Address
- Date of writing
- Name and NZMC # should be clearly visible.

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NOTES:
Controlled Drugs
Need a special triplicate CD form (H572).
Entire prescription handwritten, ie no sticky labels.
Quanitities in words and figures, eg 10 (TEN).
Prescriptions in 10 day increments, max 30 days.

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