08.11.2017 - The forms for prescription of narcotics by medical professionals have been amended. The form is now trilingual. Up to now, separate forms were printed in German, French and Italian. The prescription template has been revised – in terms of appearance but not content – owing to the need to make certain changes.
New features:
- Barcode next to the prescription no. This makes it easier for pharmacies to check whether the prescription is valid or has been blocked
- Security feature to prevent copying
- Three-language form in A5 format
- With the new form, only two narcotic-containing medicinal products may be prescribed on the same form.
According to Art. 47 para. 5. of the Narcotics Control Ordinance (SR 812.121.1), Swissmedic supplies the official form pads to the cantons against payment. Physicians may order prescription forms for the medical prescription of narcotics directly from their cantonal medical authority; Swissmedic does not send any form pads for narcotic prescriptions directly to physicians. Any blocking of prescriptions must be reported directly to the cantonal health authorities.
