I am writing to advise you that following a search of our paper and electronic records, I have established that the information you requested is not held by the Authority. Under the act I have a duty to advise and assist you and with regard to that duty may I draw your attention to the following: ? Regulation 46 of the NHS (General Medical Services Contracts) Regulations 2004 governs prescribing and states under "Excessive Prescribing": (1) The contractor shall not prescribe drugs, medicines or appliances whose cost or quantity, in relation to any patient, is, by reason of the character of the drug, medicine or appliance in question in excess of that which was reasonably necessary for the proper treatment of that patient. (2) In considering whether a contractor has breached its obligations under sub-paragraph (1) the Primary Care Trust shall seek the views of the Local Medical Committee (if any) for its area. ? Therefore, the treatment period is at the discretion of the prescriber; however, s/he may be working to local prescribing policies set by their respective Primary Care Trust (PCT). Information in respect of any such policies will need to be sought from the appropriate PCT. ? In addition, for controlled drugs, prescribers are now being recommended to restrict the number of days treatment for controlled drugs to thirty days at any one time. This follows the Government's response to the fourth Shipman Enquiry which can be found on the Department of Health web site. However, the prescriber still has the discretion to prescribe for a period greater than thirty days, but would be expected to be able to provide justification for the supply. ? There is also relevant guidance available on the Department of Health website, issued October2005, at the following address (http://www.dh.gov.uk/PolicyAndGuidance/MedicinesPharmacyAndIndustry/Prescriptions/PrescriptionsArticle/fs/en?CONTENT_ID=4000157&chk=UyNZdF) I wonder if you are aware that a pre-payment certificate will cover the costs of all prescriptions issued and currently costs £95.30 for a twelve month period or £34.65 for a three month period? You can purchase this by either visiting our web-site (https://www.ppa.org.uk/ppa/ppc/do/PatientOrderPage) or by telephoning 0845 850 0030.