What you'll get from this guide
- Definitions and examples of patient specific and patient group directions.
- Common questions and answers.
- A checklist of what should be included in a patient group direction.
How to use this guide
The Human Medicines Regulations 2012 do not permit non-qualified prescribers to administer or supply prescription only medicines unless one of three types of instruction is in place:
- a signed prescription
- a patient specific direction (PSD)
- a patient group direction (PGD).
If non-prescribing healthcare professionals administer a medicine on the instruction of a GP, the GP must be able to show that the healthcare professional has authority for that administration via one of the above methods.