Frequently Asked Questions: Controlled Drugs Prescribing
Where do I find information on the classes of controlled drugs and their
restrictions?
This information is provided in full in the schedules to the Misuse of Drugs Act 1985 (“the Act”),
accessible via the New Zealand legislation website (www.legislation.govt.nz).
Which controlled drugs need to be written on a triplicate controlled drugs
prescription form (H572)?
If intended for human use:
Class A and Class B controlled drugs; and
Controlled drugs specified by Regulation 29(1)(a)(ii) of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 1977 (“the
Regulations”).
Why use this triplicate controlled drugs prescription form (H572)?
Regulation 29(1)(a) of the Regulations requires that these controlled drugs must be written in the
authorised prescriber’s handwriting on a form provided by the Director-General of Health.
Monitoring of all Class A & B controlled drug prescription information is carried out by the Ministry of
Health. The third copy of the H572 and H572M prescription forms provides monitoring information. This
information is also collected electronically.
Is monitoring the H572 copies of prescriptions the only way of following up
potential drug misuse?
Once potential misuse has been identified, the Medical Officer of Health (Medicines Control) may
request prescription histories from pharmacies or request controlled drug information from prescribers
who must respond within one month to the written request.
What other requirements relate to prescriptions for these controlled drugs?
Requirements include:
Prescriptions for Class B controlled drugs must be in the prescriber’s own handwriting, except in
the case of printed methadone prescriptions on quadruplicate H572M forms supplied by the
Ministry of Health or Alcohol & Drug (A&D) clinic prescriptions where an approval to print onto
triplicate H572 forms has been provided by the Director-General of Health.
Details required on each prescription include the date, the name and address of the patient,
name of the medication, the dose and frequency, the prescriber’s name and address and
signature.
Prescriptions for children under 12 years require the age in years and months to be written on
the prescription form.
Prescriptions for controlled drugs must be dispensed within seven days of the prescribing date.
Amendments to controlled drug prescriptions may only be made by the prescriber who must sign
the changes.
Some controlled drugs require additional approval for prescribing, in accordance with Regulation
22 of the Regulations, for example methylphenidate and dexamphetamine.
What about other controlled drugs?
Many other medicines are classified as controlled drugs. Frequently prescribed medication such as
anorectics like Duromine®, pain relief medication (including codeine, and dihydrocodeine),
benzodiazepines (including diazepam and clonazepam) and pseudoephedrine products are all controlled
drugs.
Frequently Asked Questions: Controlled Drug Prescribing v1.0 (22 July 2011)
Medicines Control, Provider Regulation Page 1 of 2
