Citation, commencement and application1

1

These regulations may be cited as the National Health Service (General Medical Services Contracts) (Prescription of Drugs etc.) Regulations 2004 and shall come into force on 1st April 2004.

2

These Regulations apply to England only.

Drugs, medicines and other substances that may not be ordered2

A drug, medicine or other substance listed in Schedule 1 may not be ordered for patients in the provision of medical services under a general medical services contract.

Drugs, medicines and other substances that may be ordered only in certain circumstances3

A drug, medicine or other substance specified in an entry in column 1 of Schedule 2 may not be ordered for a patient in the provision of medical services under a general medical services contract unless—

a

that patient is a person of a description mentioned in column 2 of that entry; and

b

that drug, medicine or other substance is prescribed for that patient only for the purpose specified in column 3 of that entry.

Signed by authority of the Secretary of State

John HuttonMinister of State,Department of Health