French Medical Prescription Template (HAS Compliant)

Article R5121-91 of the Code de la santé publique requires: the prescriber's full name, professional title, and practice address; their 11-digit RPPS number; the date of issue; and the patient's name, first name, and date of birth (plus weight when clinically relevant). The prescription must state the INN (DCI), pharmaceutical form, dosage, dosing schedule, treatment duration, and total quantity dispensed. A handwritten signature is non-negotiable. If any mandatory item is missing, the pharmacy is legally entitled to refuse dispensing.

Under Article R5125-3 of the Code de la santé publique, an ordinary prescription is valid for 3 months from the date of issue for the first dispensing. For chronic conditions, a physician may prescribe up to 12 months of treatment, dispensed monthly or quarterly depending on the pathology. Controlled-substance prescriptions (stupéfiants — narcotics and analogues) follow stricter rules: under Articles R5132-30 et seq., they must be presented to the pharmacy within 3 days and typically cover only 7 days of treatment.

Yes. Since Law n°2011-2012 of 29 December 2011, prescribing by INN (DCI — Dénomination Commune Internationale) is mandatory for all medicines eligible for generic substitution, as reinforced by Article L5125-23 of the Code de la santé publique. This obligation is designed to encourage the dispensing of cheaper generics and reduce national healthcare expenditure. A pharmacist may substitute the branded drug with a bioequivalent generic unless the prescription carries an explicit 'Non substituable' notation backed by a documented medical reason such as a confirmed allergy or specific galenic requirement.

A secure prescription (ordonnance sécurisée) is a tamper-resistant printed form incorporating watermarks, unique serial numbering, and anti-forgery paper stock, as defined by the ministerial order of 31 March 1999 (arrêté du 31 mars 1999 modifié). It is compulsory for prescribing controlled substances such as morphine and fentanyl, under Article R5132-5 of the Code de la santé publique. Quantities must be written out in full words. Practitioners order these forms from approved printers certified by the ANSM (Agence nationale de sécurité du médicament — France's medicines regulator) or through their hospital pharmacy.

Yes. Article R4235-48 of the Code de la santé publique (the Pharmacists' Code of Ethics) requires the pharmacist to verify the prescription's regularity before dispensing. If items such as the RPPS number, date, or handwritten signature are missing, the pharmacist must attempt to reach the prescriber for correction. If that is not possible, refusal is legally justified — except in a genuine medical emergency, where the minimum quantity needed to ensure continuity of care may exceptionally be dispensed.

Forging a prescription constitutes 'faux et usage de faux' (fraud and use of forged documents) under Article 441-1 of the Code pénal, punishable by up to 3 years' imprisonment and a €45,000 fine. For controlled-substance prescriptions, Article L5441-1 of the Code de la santé publique raises the penalties to 5 years' imprisonment and €375,000. Any practitioner who discovers their prescription pad has been stolen or forged must file a police complaint and notify both the CPAM (local health insurance fund) and their professional Ordre (medical council) in writing to protect themselves from liability.