From 1st April 2019 Pregabalin and Gabapentin will be Schedule 3 CDs without safe custody requirement. Read on to see what this means.

From this date, any prescriptions for gabapentin or pregabalin:

• Must comply with prescribing standards for CDs for individual patient supplies for outpatients and discharge home
• Must be requested on a CD signed order for use in clinical areas either as a stock or temporary stock item
• Any out of date stock must be returned to pharmacy for denaturing by an authorised witness ( as per process described in Meds Code)
• Do not need to comply with safety custody requirement for CDs
• Do not need to comply with record keeping requirement for CDs i.e stock does not need to be recorded in ward CD register

This will effectively bring gabapentin/pregabalin management in-line with tramadol at CHFT