Regulatory Issues
Checks on Prescribing of Prescription Medicines
The Medical Officer of Health is legally empowered to enquire into the prescribing, administering or supplying of prescription medicines by doctors, dentists and midwives. This function is carried out by MOHs attached to the Ministry’s Medicine Control offices.
A new amendment (No. 8) to the Medicines Regulations 1984 was enacted late last year. Regulation 44B empowers the Medical Officer of Health to enquire into the prescribing of prescription medicines by doctors, dentists and midwives. This corresponds to section 35(1) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 where the Medical Officer of Health can enquire into the prescribing of controlled drugs.
The amendment was initiated in 1991 by the Medical Council of New Zealand, with the publication of its strategies for action on the misuse of prescription medicines. Consultation with affected groups was sought and the amendment was approved by Cabinet in September 1997.
The major features of the amendment are:
- any doctor, dentist or midwife may be required to supply information relating to the prescribing, administering or supplying of any prescription medicine if the Medical Officer of Health has reason to suspect improper use;
- this information should justify the prescribing, administering, or supplying of the prescription medicine and include the age, diagnosis and prognosis of the patient, details of any specialist referral, and any other treatments considered or tried; and
- the information must be supplied within 30 days of the enquiry.