A doctor who retires retains their title and their right to prescribe for themselves or their relatives. Choosing the model of secure prescription is not straightforward, as professional identifiers change and authorized printers require specific information. Here’s how to navigate this without risking rejection at the pharmacy counter.
Secure prescription after retirement: when the watermark paper remains mandatory
Are you prescribing a painkiller classified as a narcotic for a relative? The secure prescription is not optional. Any narcotic medication requires a secure prescription, whether the prescriber is active or retired. This rule also applies to medications subject to narcotic regulations without being formally classified as such (some hypnotics, for example).
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The paper itself must meet criteria defined by the French Association for Standardization (AFNOR): watermark representing a caduceus, paper without optical brighteners, sufficiently dense weight, and pre-printed blue mentions identifying the prescriber. A pharmacist should be able to recognize this type of prescription at first glance, without any special tools.
For common prescriptions (antibiotics, antihypertensives, glasses, physiotherapy sessions), choosing a secure prescription model for retired doctors is not a legal obligation. A simple prescription on headed paper is sufficient. The distinction is based on the nature of the medication, not the status of the prescriber.
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Mandatory mentions on the header: what the pharmacist checks first
The point that generates the most rejections at the pharmacy is the header. A retired doctor no longer has an ADELI number or an AM (Health Insurance) number. Including an old ADELI number will cause a refusal of electronic transmission, as the corresponding file no longer exists in the CPAM databases.
Specifically, the header of the prescription (secure or simple) must include:
- The name, first name, and mention “retired doctor” (or “doctor of medicine retired”)
- The RPPS number, the only personal identifier retained after cessation of activity
- The registration number in the departmental Order
- The home address and a phone number
- The mention “free act,” since the prescription does not incur any fees
The ADELI number, the AM number, and the FINESS of the former structure must no longer appear. If you use old pre-printed blocks, cross out these identifiers visibly.
The generic departmental number for electronic transmission
The pharmacist dispensing the medications needs an identifier compatible with their electronic transmission software. For prescriptions from retired doctors, a generic departmental number replaces the AM number. This number is the same for all retired practitioners in the same department and varies depending on the type of executing professional (pharmacist, optician, physiotherapist).
You do not need to take any steps to obtain this number. It is the healthcare professional who applies it at the time of dispensing. Your role is limited to providing a legible prescription with a valid RPPS number.
Ordering secure prescription blocks without practicing: the procedure
Why does this step pose a problem? Because authorized printers are used to orders from active practitioners. A retired doctor placing an order must prove that they are still registered with the Order.
Registration with the Order is a prerequisite for any prescription. Without it, neither a simple prescription nor a secure prescription is acceptable. The National Council of the Order of Doctors reminded at the end of 2024 that a non-active retired doctor (without medical income) can only prescribe for themselves and their relatives, free of charge, within the limits of their competence.
Choosing an authorized printer and configuring the header
Secure prescriptions can only be produced by printers referenced by the National Agency for the Safety of Medicines. When ordering, specify that you are retired and provide:
- Your RPPS number (the only identifier to be pre-printed in blue)
- Your ordinal number (registration with the departmental table)
- Your personal address, without mentioning an office
Explicitly request that the ADELI number and the AM number do not appear on the block. Some printers use standard templates that include these fields by default.
Civil liability and the scope of prescription for the retired doctor
Prescribing in retirement carries the same responsibility as while practicing. Maintaining appropriate professional liability insurance protects against disputes related to a prescription, even occasional ones. Several departmental orders strongly recommend this.
The scope of prescription is limited. A non-active retired doctor cannot write prescriptions for third-party patients or charge fees. Prescriptions for individuals outside the family circle or accompanied by remuneration fall outside the authorized framework.
Digital prescriptions and retired doctors
The transition to digital prescriptions currently concerns practicing prescribers who use secure business software. A retired doctor who no longer practices does not have access to these tools. The paper format remains the only viable option for non-active retirees, which current regulations do not yet fully clarify.
As long as this gray area persists, ordering a small stock of secure blocks and a block of simple prescriptions covers almost all needs. For narcotics, the secure block is non-negotiable. For everything else, the simple prescription with a compliant header does the job.
The choice of model therefore depends on two criteria: the nature of the prescribed medication and the compliance of the header with the identifiers retained after retirement. Keeping a secure block up to date, with the correct RPPS number and without an old ADELI number, avoids the majority of rejections at the pharmacy.