In a community pharmacy, you receive a private prescription for a controlled drug from a prescriber based in Portugal. Which controlled drug can legally be supplied on this prescription?

In a community pharmacy, you receive a private prescription for a controlled drug from a prescriber based in Portugal. Which controlled drug can legally be supplied on this prescription?

• A. Diazepam
• B. Codeine
• C. Morphine
• D. Tramadol

Answer: (B)

The situation hinges on how cross‑border prescriptions for controlled drugs are treated. In the UK, only certain controlled drugs can be supplied on a private prescription from a prescriber in another EU country. The lowest-risk category, Schedule 5, allows such cross‑border dispensing as long as the usual checks are met (valid prescription, patient details, appropriate quantity, and proper records). Codeine, commonly found in combination analgesics, is a Schedule 5 controlled drug in the UK. This means a private prescription from a prescriber in Portugal can be legally dispensed for codeine-containing products, provided you verify the prescription and comply with standard CD controls. Diazepam (Schedule 4), morphine (Schedule 2), and tramadol (Schedule 3) are higher‑risk CDs and typically require a prescriber who is UK‑registered or involve more stringent cross‑border controls and authorizations. Hence, they aren’t normally supplyable on a private cross‑border prescription from Portugal. So, codeine is the best answer because it sits in the Schedule 5 category, allowing this type of cross‑border dispensing.

The situation hinges on how cross‑border prescriptions for controlled drugs are treated. In the UK, only certain controlled drugs can be supplied on a private prescription from a prescriber in another EU country. The lowest-risk category, Schedule 5, allows such cross‑border dispensing as long as the usual checks are met (valid prescription, patient details, appropriate quantity, and proper records).

Codeine, commonly found in combination analgesics, is a Schedule 5 controlled drug in the UK. This means a private prescription from a prescriber in Portugal can be legally dispensed for codeine-containing products, provided you verify the prescription and comply with standard CD controls.

Diazepam (Schedule 4), morphine (Schedule 2), and tramadol (Schedule 3) are higher‑risk CDs and typically require a prescriber who is UK‑registered or involve more stringent cross‑border controls and authorizations. Hence, they aren’t normally supplyable on a private cross‑border prescription from Portugal.

So, codeine is the best answer because it sits in the Schedule 5 category, allowing this type of cross‑border dispensing.