Does a private prescription have to be handwritten?

No, private prescriptions in the UK can be handwritten, printed, or created electronically, as long as they meet the legal requirements.

Private practice can sometimes feel like it’s weighed down by admin, and prescriptions are a big part of the problem.

But with so much digitisation in the sector, you might be wondering whether a private prescription still needs to be handwritten in 2025. The short answer is no, but there are a few important rules you need to know, especially around signatures and controlled drugs.

With new digital systems now easier to integrate into existing systems, many clinicians are moving away from paper altogether. Paper can be clunky, messy and easy to lose.

Platforms like Healistic are making it easier than ever to issue compliant prescriptions in minutes, while keeping you and your patients safe.

Get in touch for a demo today!

What does a private prescription have to have to make it valid?

Whether it’s handwritten or electronic, a private prescription has to meet certain legal requirements under the Human Medicines Regulations 2012.

To be valid, it must include:

• The patient’s full name and address (and age if they’re under 12).
• The prescriber’s name, address, and qualification (e.g. doctor, dentist, nurse prescriber).
• The date of issue.
• A signature: in ink for paper prescriptions, or an advanced electronic signature for digital ones.
• Clear details of the medicine: name (generic or brand where clinically required), form (tablet, capsule, liquid), strength, dose, frequency, and total quantity.

For Schedule 2 and 3 controlled drugs, the law is stricter: the prescription has to include the strength, form, dose, and the total quantity written in both words and figures.

These can only be issued on the official FP10PCD pink forms, not electronically.

Can the signature be electronic?

Yes, but only if it’s an advanced electronic signature. This means it has to be uniquely linked to the prescriber, under their sole control and easy to identify them.

A scanned signature, photocopy, or password-protected PDF doesn’t count, pharmacies can't legally dispense from these.

Electronic prescriptions created through regulatory-compliant systems like Healistic are the easiest way to make sure that the signature meets the required legal standard. That way, it can be sent directly and securely to pharmacies and processed upon receipt.

Not only is this easier, but it also avoids the risks and delays that come with handling paper.

How long are private prescriptions valid for?

Prescriptions don't last forever, so the length they are valid for depends on the type of medicine being offered:

• Most medicines: 6 months from the date on the prescription.
• Controlled drugs in Schedules 2, 3 and 4: 28 days.
• Repeatable prescriptions: the first dispensing has to happen within the standard validity period (6 months or 28 days), but after that, repeats can usually be issued for up to 12 months if noted by the prescriber.

For doctors, this means making sure your patients know they need to present the prescription in good time, especially for controlled medicines.

Digital platforms can help by automatically tracking dates and issuing reminders to patients well ahead of any deadlines.

What is better: handwritten or electronic private prescriptions?

Legally, both are valid. Practically, electronic prescriptions are usually the top choice for a number of reasons.

Handwritten scripts can be misread, lost or delayed. They also come with a higher risk of errors just due to the fact that they aren't automatically checked at the time of writing.

Electronic private prescriptions, on the other hand, are:

• Faster to issue and easier to store.
• Better for peace of mind as they are checked and regulated on issuance.
• More secure - as they can't be lost or given to the wrong person.
• Less prone to mistakes thanks to built-in safety checks.
• More convenient for patients, who no longer need to carry paper forms around.
• Better for repeat prescribing, as the process can be automated and reminders can be automatically generated.

These reasons are why many private clinicians are now choosing to go digital.

Systems like Healistic give you a compliant, secure, and much more efficient way of working, while saving your practice time and making the process easier for patients.

Finding a private prescription platform that does the heavy lifting for you

If you’re still handwriting private prescriptions, you might be making life harder than it needs to be.

Electronic prescribing takes away unnecessary admin, improves accuracy, and keeps everything in line with the law.

Platforms like Healistic are built specifically for private clinics. We let you issue prescriptions from anywhere, securely send them to pharmacies, and even arrange same-day delivery in London or next-day delivery across the UK.

Features like automated repeats make the process safer and more efficient for doctors, and way more convenient for patients.

So, in short: A private prescription doesn’t have to be handwritten, but moving to a digital platform is almost always the smarter choice!

Want to move to a digital platform?

Request a free demo and start e-prescribing with Healistic today!