August 19th 2025

By Ailsa Colquhoun

Private prescribing under scrutiny by DHSC

DHSC is seeking views on the safety and efficacy of private prescribing in the UK and overseas prescriptions presented for dispensing in the UK. 

The call for views focuses on:  

• prescriptions written by prescribers registered in the European Economic Area (EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) and Switzerland, that are dispensed in the UK
• private prescriptions written by UK prescribers
• medicines accessed through patient group directions (PGDs) outside of the NHS

The online survey seeks information on areas such as:

• the efficacy of existing mechanisms for the oversight and regulation of private prescribing by UK and EEA registered healthcare professions and supply and administration of medicines under private PGDs
• what impact the existing arrangements for private prescribing and supply of medicines have on patient safety and access to medicines
• how private prescribing by UK and EEA registered healthcare professions and the use of private PGDs affect the quality of care received by patients

Key concerns relate to the misuse of medicines, potential for counterfeit and inappropriate advertising

Please respond using the online survey.