The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 275 No 7363 p215
20 August 2005

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New guide to help prison services launched

New guidance has been published to help prison services in England and Wales implement a policy whereby patients are responsible for their own medicines. “Medication in-possession: a guide to improving practice in secure environments” was commissioned by Prison Health and is published by the National Prescribing Centre this week.

In 2003, the Department of Health and the Prison Service publication “A pharmacy service for prisoners” recommended that all patients should be in possession of their own medicines where appropriate.

The new guide is designed to support all prisons and primary care trusts or local health boards, at whatever stage they are at in implementing this policy. It outlines the practical issues that need to be considered depending on the category of prison and provides advice on the development of risk assessment tools.


News feature p221