Guidance on handling ‘FS’ endorsed prescriptions for free supply of sexual health treatments
As ‘FS’ endorsed prescription items become more common, Community Pharmacy England has released updated guidance on how pharmacies should handle these prescriptions.
Community pharmacies are seeing an increase in electronic prescriptions with items endorsed ‘FS’ for free supply of sexual health treatment. This increase has been partially driven by the adoption of EPS by sexual health clinics.
Pharmacy teams are reminded that ‘FS’ endorsed items must be supplied free-of-charge to patients. This is in line with requirements under the National Health Service Act 2006 (section 173), which exempts patients for paying NHS prescription charges for any items issued for the treatment of sexually transmitted diseases.
To support pharmacy teams with guidance on the correct handling of prescriptions for ‘FS’ endorsed items, we have updated our ‘FS’ endorsement factsheet to help increase understanding of:
- Which treatments are covered by the ‘FS’ endorsement;
- How prescribers should apply the ‘FS’ endorsement to prescriptions;
- Dispensing and claiming for prescriptions with ‘FS’ endorsed items; and
- Correct submission of prescriptions with ‘FS’ endorsed items.
Click here to read our updated factsheet.
