Prescriber Endorsement ‘FS’ - Free Supply for Specified Use

The ‘FS’ endorsement by prescribers indicates that sexually transmitted infections (STIs) treatments and those for tuberculosis (TB), latent TB infections, associated effects and adverse effects of TB (e.g. dizziness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and headache) must be supplied free of charge to the patient on an NHS prescription in England.

The endorsement is not automatically applied. There is no specific list of medicines that qualify, so prescribers must manually add "FS" to indicate that the medicine is for STIs or TB. Only prescribers can apply the FS endorsement.

Electronic Prescriptions (EPS)

• Prescribers cannot free-type "FS" in the dosage or supplementary information fields. Incorrect placement should be referred back to the prescriber. They must use the designated FS functionality in the prescribing IT system.
• Real Time Exemption Checking (RTEC) does not automatically verify the FS endorsement, which applies at item level.
• Pharmacies should use EPS message code 0017 – "FS: Free supply for specified use" when claiming unless the patient is exempt for another reason. NHSBSA will recognise EPS code 0017 even if older FS categories still appear until PMRs are updated.
• For EPS prescriptions containing only FS items (or FS + contraceptives), patients do not need to sign or provide exemption evidence.

Paper Prescriptions (FP10)

• Prescribers must annotate "FS" and their initials/signature next to each relevant item.
• Where multiple STI/TB items are prescribed, each must be individually annotated.
• The FS endorsement can only be added by a prescriber. It cannot be added by a patient or a pharmacist.
• If the prescription contains only FS items, the back of the FP10 does not need to be completed.
• The prescription should be placed in the relevant red separator for end-of-month submission.

Mixed Prescriptions

• Prescribers should avoid mixing FS items with chargeable items on the same form.
• Prescription charges should be collected for any non-FS items and submitted as paid where the patient is non-exempt. The patient should sign the paid section on the reverse, indicating the total charges collected.
• If the patient is exempt, the declaration on the reverse should be completed with the correct exemption reason (except age exemption).
• The prescription should be placed in the relevant red separator for end-of-month submission.