Medical cannabis: reading the official narcotics form

27 October 20265 min read

The official narcotics form explained: who issues it, the fields it must contain, how long it is valid and who keeps which of its three copies.

Where a medicine with controlled substances is medically indicated, the physician prescribes it on an official form, the narcotics prescription (Betäubungsmittelrezept). This article explains what the form looks like, which details it contains, how long it is valid and who receives which copy.

An official, numbered form

For medicines with controlled substances of Verzeichnisse a and d, the specific narcotics prescription form must be used; for Verzeichnisse b and c, a simple prescription is sufficient (Art. 46 para. 2 and 3 BetmKV). Cannabis for medical purposes is listed in Verzeichnis a of the narcotics lists ordinance (BetmVV-EDI).

Where it comes from. Swissmedic supplies the official forms to the cantons, which pass them on to physicians entitled to prescribe (Art. 47 para. 5 BetmKV). Physicians order the pads in writing from the cantonal issuing office; only physicians with a valid licence to practise and activity in the canton may obtain them (KAV 0025, section 7).
Layout. Since November 2017, the forms have been trilingual three-part sets with a barcode next to the prescription number, so that pharmacies can check whether a form is valid or blocked (Swissmedic notice of 8 November 2017).
Blocked forms. Swissmedic publishes a list of blocked forms, for example lost or stolen ones.

The fields of the form

Among other details, the narcotics prescription must contain (Art. 47 para. 1 BetmKV):

the name, address, signature and stamp of the prescribing physician,
the patient's surname, first name, date of birth and address,
the date of issue,
the name of the medicine,
the quantity,
the directions for use.

In their position paper, the cantonal pharmacists also list the prescriber's GLN and the patient's sex as minimum details. The physician's telephone and ZSR numbers and the patient's insurance details count as further important information. At most two preparations with controlled substances may be prescribed per form, and blank spaces are to be clearly struck through (KAV 0025, section 7).

The signature is an original handwritten signature. A scanned signature, a fax, an e-mail or a photocopy does not meet the requirements for a paper prescription (KAV 0025, section 6.2). Copies of a prescription must be clearly marked as copies and do not entitle anyone to obtain a medicine (KAV 0025, section 7).

Validity and quantity

Validity. A narcotics prescription is valid for one month (Art. 47 para. 2 BetmKV). Where a quantity for three months is prescribed, the cantonal pharmacists' position paper treats it as valid for at most three months from the date of issue (KAV 0025, section 7). Cantonal practice for longer treatment periods varies.
Quantity. The quantity prescribed may not exceed the need for one month of treatment. Where circumstances justify it, a quantity for up to three months is possible; the physician then states the exact duration of the ongoing treatment on the prescription (Art. 47 para. 3 BetmKV).
Repeat dispensing. Unless the physician notes otherwise, repeat dispensing is not permitted (Art. 51 para. 3 BetmKV). According to the KAV, partial quantities may be dispensed repeatedly within the prescribed treatment period (KAV 0025, section 7).

More: validity and quantity.

Who receives which part

The form has three parts. According to position paper 0025 of the Association of Cantonal Pharmacists (KAV) (KAV 0025, section 6.6):

The light blue copy stays at the practice. A copy of the prescription is kept in the medical record (Art. 47 para. 4 BetmKV).
The white original stays at the pharmacy.
The pink copy is used for billing the health insurer or is handed to you, receipted, if you claim the costs yourself.

When the medicine is dispensed, the white original and the pink copy must be physically present at the pharmacy. Digital transmission is not possible for Verzeichnisse a and d (KAV 0025, section 6.6).

From the form to the pharmacy

The original is handed or posted to you. With your consent, it can also be posted directly to a pharmacy of your choice; that consent is documented in writing, usually confirmed once a year, and you can withdraw it at any time (KAV 0025, section 6.5). Sending it by e-mail, messenger service or fax is not allowed.

The prescription becomes your property, and you choose freely where to have it filled (Art. 26 para. 2bis let. b HMG). Our practice has no contracts with any pharmacy. More: how the prescription reaches the pharmacy, choosing a pharmacy and our pharmacies page.

In our practice

Our physician Oxana Smagulova issues a narcotics prescription only where medically indicated. There is no entitlement to a prescription; the physician decides on the basis of the medical assessment in the consultation. If you have questions about a form you have received, raise them at your next consultation.