Narcotics prescription (BtM prescription)
Martina Feichter studied biology with an elective subject pharmacy in Innsbruck and also immersed herself in the world of medicinal plants. From there it was not far to other medical topics that still captivate her to this day. She trained as a journalist at the Axel Springer Academy in Hamburg and has been working for since 2007 - first as an editor and since 2012 as a freelance writer.
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On a narcotics prescription (BtM prescription), a doctor prescribes medication, the dispensing and use of which must be strictly controlled. This applies, for example, to substances that can be addictive, such as certain highly effective painkillers. You can read here what a BtM prescription looks like, what information must be on it and other important information about the BtM prescription.
BtM prescription for strictly monitored medicines
In addition to normal cash prescriptions, a doctor can also issue a narcotic drug prescription - in short: a BtM prescription. It is intended for the prescription of so-called narcotics. This means above all drugs that are addictive or can be misused. This applies, for example, to strong pain relievers from the group of opioids, which are administered for cancer pain. Substances that directly or indirectly endanger health or that can be used to manufacture narcotics are also classified as narcotics.
Doctors may only prescribe narcotics if their use on humans is justified and the intended purpose cannot be achieved in any other way, for example with drugs that are not subject to the Narcotics Act.
The prescription and dispensing of narcotics are strictly monitored. The BtM recipe serves this purpose. It is issued personally to a doctor by the Federal Opium Agency, and its handling is precisely regulated.
What is on the BtM prescription?
The BtM prescription is a three-part official form, consisting of a cover sheet and two carbon copies. The doctor must enter the patient's full name and address, the date of issue, and the name and quantity of the prescribed drug. Instructions for use (single and daily dose) or the note "According to written instructions" are also mandatory if the doctor gives the patient a separate piece of paper with instructions for use.
In addition, there are special markings on the BtM prescription such as "S" for substitution agents. One such method would be methadone as a drug substitute for opiate-dependent patients (e.g. heroin addicts).
The narcotics prescription must also include the doctor's name, address (including telephone number) and signature.
New BtM recipes
There have been new BtM recipes since March 2013. In contrast to old prescriptions, they have a consecutive nine-digit prescription number with which they can be clearly assigned to the prescribing doctor. But old BtM recipes are still in use. They remain valid until December 31, 2014.
Redeem the BtM prescription
The doctor gives the patient the completed BtM prescription - more precisely: the cover sheet and the first copy. The doctor keeps the second copy; he must keep it for three years for possible inspection purposes by the authorities.
The patient presents the BtM prescription, i.e. the cover sheet and first copy, to the pharmacy and receives the relevant anesthetic. The pharmacy then forwards the cover sheet to the patient's health insurance company for billing. The pharmacist must proceed with the first copy of the prescription in the same way as the doctor with the second copy: he must keep it for three years.
BtM prescription: validity
A BtM prescription can generally be redeemed in the pharmacy up to the 8th day (including the date of issue). After that it is no longer valid. This deadline may only be exceeded if the BtM prescription is for a drug that is not approved in Germany and must therefore first be imported from abroad.
BtM recipes for animals too
In addition to general practitioners, specialists and dentists, veterinarians are also allowed to issue a BtM prescription - but only for their own patients, i.e. for animals. Delivery and use are also strictly regulated here.
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