asked Her Majesty's Government:

What guidelines they have issued to primary care trusts concerning the administration charges for the provision of private prescription forms. [HL3432]

The National Health Service prescription form supplier levies a charge on primary care trusts (PCTs) for supplies of FP10PCD prescription forms for the private prescription of Schedule 2 and 3 controlled drugs. PCTs in turn may charge private prescribers a modest sum for these prescription forms.

This practice is outlined in the department's guidance, Safer Management of Controlled Drugs (CDs): Private CD Prescriptions and Other Changes to the Prescribing and Dispensing of Controlled Drugs (CDs)—Guidance for Implementation, copies of which have been placed in the Library, and it is available on the department's website at www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/ Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_4131465.