This article outlines the regulatory requirements governing the prescribing and dispensing of dangerous drugs under Philippine law and PDEA guidelines. It details the proper use of the Special Prescription Form, exceptions for certain oral preparations, emergency dispensing provisions, and the clinical and documentation standards required of S-2–licensed practitioners. Restrictions on prescribing without personal examination, limitations on drug quantities, rules for parenteral formulations, and protocols for multi-month prescriptions are emphasized. The article highlights the importance of strict compliance to ensure patient safety, prevent misuse, and avoid legal liability for medical practitioners.

14. Section 31. Prescriptions, (2); [Dangerous Drug] Board Regulation No. 1 Series of 2014
15. Id.
16. Article II [Classification] Section 4 [Preparations] (4)
17. Annex A – Philippines Schedules of Dangerous Drugs; [Dangerous Drug] Board Regulation No. 1 Series of 2014: Schedule I dangerous drugs mean it has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the Philippines and lack of accepted safety for use of the drug under medical supervision. Schedule II dangerous drugs mean it may have currently accepted medical use in treatment in the Philippines and have high potential for abuse that may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence. Schedule III dangerous drugs mean it has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the Philippines and have a potential for abuse but less than the drug in schedules 1 and 2 that may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence. Schedule IV dangerous drugs mean it has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the Philippines and have a low potential for abuse less than the drug in schedule 3 that may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence. Schedule V dangerous drugs mean it has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the Philippines and have potential for abuse that may lead to from low to high psychological or physical dependence. It is considered a dangerous drug only in the Philippines.
18. Section 33. Prescribing and Filling of an Order in Emergency Situation, (1) (a); [Dangerous Drug] Board Regulation No. 1 Series of 2014
19. Id. “Where the need for treatment is urgent in an emergency case, and when a special prescription is not available, an ordinary prescription may be used and shall be acted upon by the licensed seller. An “Authorization for Emergency Dispensing,” must be legibly written on the face of the prescription. The drug prescribed and dispensed must be limited to the quantity needed to treat the patient during the emergency period. The prescribing physician, dentist or veterinarian shall inform PDEA-CS or the Regional Office in writing where the emergency occurred, copy furnished the pharmacy that supplied the drug within seven days (7) after issuing such ordinary prescription. The pharmacy shall also inform the PDEA within seven (7) days after dispensing the dangerous drugs during the emergency situation. Such prescription should contain at its back of a statement of the date and nature of the emergency condition. The prescription should clearly state the full name and address of the patient, and the full name and signature of the prescribing person and such other information required under Section 31(4) of this regulation. The notification to PDEA may be delivered in person or by mail. If delivered by mail, it must be postmarked within the seven day period.”
20. Section 31. Prescriptions, 6 (a); [Dangerous Drug] Board Regulation No. 1 Series of 2014
21. Section 31. Prescriptions, 6 (c); [Dangerous Drug] Board Regulation No. 1 Series of 2014
22. Section 31. Prescriptions, 7; [Dangerous Drug] Board Regulation No. 1 Series of 2014
23. Id.
24. Section 31. Prescriptions, 6 (b); [Dangerous Drug] Board Regulation No. 1 Series of 2014
25. Section 31. Prescriptions, 6 (d); [Dangerous Drug] Board Regulation No. 1 Series of 2014
26. Section 31. Prescriptions, 6 (d [i][1]); [Dangerous Drug] Board Regulation No. 1 Series of 2014