Shipman Inquiry makes recommendations on CDs
Recommendations to improve the safety of the prescription and supply of Controlled Drugs were made last week when the fourth
report of the Shipman Inquiry was presented to the House of Commons.
There are three major aims. The first
involves the creation of a multidisciplinary inspectorate to monitor
and audit Controlled Drugs from prescription to final disposal. Present
inspection arrangements are fragmented and carried out by people without
the necessary expertise, the report says. Also, special prescription
forms should be used for both NHS and private prescriptions for Controlled
Drugs.
The second aim is to discourage doctors from prescribing Controlled Drugs
unwisely. For example, it should be unacceptable for a doctor to prescribe
a Controlled Drug for a member of his or her family.
The third aim is to make Controlled Drug handling and safekeeping more
secure. One proposal is that pharmacists should keep records of the identity
of any person collecting a Controlled Drug. Running balances should be
kept and Controlled Drugs
registers should be kept for seven or even 10 years. In addition, the
Royal Pharmaceutical Society should provide guidance on the
information that pharmacists give to people collecting a Controlled Drug.
The report, “The regulation of controlled drugs in the community”,
is available at www.the-shipman-inquiry.org.uk
News feature, p109
Leading article, p102 |
The
Pharmaceutical Journal
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