Patient signatures are no longer required on most prescription forms in Scotland, after the Scottish Government made COVID measures permanent.

The requirement for patients or their representatives to sign prescription forms was temporarily suspended during the Covid-19 pandemic as an operational matter.

It has been agreed with the pharmacy contractor body, Community Pharmacy Scotland, and NHS National Services Scotland, that the temporary suspension should now continue as normal practice.

With immediate effect, patient signatures are required only in the following situations:

• Where the prescription is for a controlled drug
• Where, in the pharmacist’s judgement, a signature from the patient or their representative is desirable
• Where the prescription is generated by a GP practice in England and prescription charges exemption status needs to be selected.

In all other situations the form does not need to be signed by the patient, a representative or a pharmacy staff member. This advice applies only to NHS prescriptions.

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