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<p>Clinicians are responsible for their own treatment decisions taking any relevant
guidance into account. They should always satisfy themselves that the drugs or other
substances they consider appropriate for their patients can be safely prescribed,
that patients are adequately monitored and that, where necessary, additional support
or supervision is available.</p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p><p>Within
the General Medical Services (GMS) and Personal Medical Services Regulations and Alternative
Provider Medical Services Directions there are clauses in relation to prescribing
and dispensing. The GMS Contracts Regulations Schedule 6 Part 3 paragraph 46 says:</p><p>
</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>“Excessive prescribing</p><p> </p><p>46 - (1) The contractor
shall not prescribe drugs, medicines or appliances whose cost or quantity, in relation
to any patient is, by reason of the character of the drug, medicine or appliance in
question in excess of that</p><p> </p><p>which was reasonably necessary for the proper
treatment of that patient.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>(2) In considering whether
a contractor has breached its obligations under sub-paragraph (1) NHS England must
seek the views of the Local Medical Committee (if any) for the area in which the contractor
provides services under the contract.”</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Practitioners
are encouraged to prescribe rationally and to make the best possible use of National
Health Service resources.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Professional bodies issue
standards and/or guidance for their members on prescribing. An example of this is
the General Medical <em>Council’s “Good practice in prescribing and managing medicines
and devices”</em>. It provides more detailed advice on how to comply with these principles
when prescribing and managing medicines and medical devices, including appliances.
If clinicians act outside of this guidance they can be held to account and potentially
lose their professional registration, meaning they are unable to practice.</p><p>
</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p><p><strong>
</strong></p><p> </p>
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