Can you prescribe controlled drugs?

Almost never — and for Schedule 2 and 3 drugs, not at all.

We do not prescribe Schedule 2 and 3 controlled drugs online, in any circumstances. That covers ADHD stimulants such as methylphenidate and lisdexamfetamine, strong opioids, tramadol, temazepam, and gabapentin and pregabalin. Two separate reasons apply and either would be enough alone. Remote prescribing of these carries well-documented risks, and GMC guidance is clear that it is rarely appropriate. Separately, a private prescription for a Schedule 2 or 3 drug must be written on form FP10PCD, issued by NHS England against a prescriber identification number — which this service does not hold. So it is not a matter of persuasion.

Specifically, so there is no ambiguity

• Stimulants — methylphenidate, lisdexamfetamine, dexamfetamine. Never, including where you already have a diagnosis
• Opioids — morphine, oxycodone, fentanyl, tramadol, and also codeine and dihydrocodeine. Never
• Gabapentin and pregabalin, which became controlled drugs for good reason. Never
• Benzodiazepines — diazepam, lorazepam, temazepam, clonazepam — and z-drugs, zopiclone and zolpidem. Never started remotely, and not prescribed as ongoing treatment. One narrow exception follows

The one exception: an emergency bridging supply

Rarely, and only where every one of the following is true, we may issue a small one-off supply of a benzodiazepine or z-drug you are already established on:

• It was started by, and is normally prescribed by, someone else — your NHS GP or a specialist. We do not start these
• You have run out, or are about to, and cannot reach your own prescriber in time
• Stopping abruptly would be unsafe, which for these drugs it frequently is
• The quantity is the minimum needed to bridge the gap — a few days, not months
• It is genuinely one-off. We write to your GP, and we will not repeat it

This is not a route to a prescription. It exists so that someone who would otherwise go into withdrawal is not left without options, and it is used very rarely. If you are asking for a first prescription, a larger quantity, or a second bridging supply, the answer is no.

It cannot cover Schedule 2 or 3 drugs at all, for the form reason above. If you have run out of an opioid or ADHD medication, NHS 111 is the route, not us.

What we can do instead

We can refer you to a specialist who can assess and initiate treatment properly, discuss shared-care arrangements once you are established and stable, and manage the non-controlled aspects of your care.

For pain, that means reviewing whether an anti-inflammatory is appropriate and safe, whether a topical treatment would work with a fraction of the risk, and whether physiotherapy or a specialist opinion is the better route.

For sleep, it means treating the sleep problem rather than sedating it — which sounds like a lesser offer and is not. Sleeping tablets stop working within weeks and are difficult to stop.

If another online service is offering to start you on a controlled drug after a short remote consultation, that should give you pause.