The objective of this checklist is to make sure that the systems in place for the management of controlled drugs (CD) are compliant with the requirements of the current legislation and are applied by all members of the Primary Health Care Team.

1. Ordering - There must be a system in place as to who will be responsible for ordering (named person), how will the order be placed and where will the drugs be ordered from. Requisitions for schedule 2 and 3 CDs must be in writing (not computer generated), be signed by the prescriber, must state prescriber's name, profession and address, must specify the total quantity of the drug and the purpose of its use e.g. for practice use. A wholesaler or pharmacy supplying CD to a prescriber must be satisfied that the request is genuine, e.g. an original document not a faxed or electronically transmitted prescription. 

2. Invoice - The invoice relating to the transaction must be retained by the practice for 2 years.

3. Authority - There must be clear guidelines as to who is authorised to collect the controlled drugs - also how the drugs will arrive at the practice and who will deliver the stock must be known before hand. 

4. Responsibility - One designated person within the premises must take overall responsibility of storage. Where the drugs are stored, who has the access to the storage, does the cabinet comply with the safe custody regulations and where are the keys kept must be known at all times by the designated person. The CD container should only be opened by the designated person who remains ultimately accountable for CD's management.

5. Doctor's bag - A doctor's bag is a locked bag, box or a case for home visits. This should be kept locked at all times except when in immediate use. Bags containing CDs should not be left in a car over night or left unattended for long periods of time. Each doctor is responsible for the receipt and supply of CDs from their own bag.

6. Administration - Any CD that is administered by a nurse/nurse independent prescriber or nurses acting under the direction of a nurse prescriber must be recorded in the nurses and patient's notes stating the medicine, dose administered, the date of administration, the method and the person who administered it.  The same rule applies for a doctor or a trainee doctor.

7. Register - All health care professionals who hold schedule 2 CDs must be kept in a CD register. The register must be bound, must have the name of the drugs, entries must be made in ink and made on the day of the transaction. No cancellations or alteration is allowed. Any correction made must be signed and dated at the bottom of the page or in front of the correction made.

8.   Destruction - Health Care professionals and service providers are not allowed to destroy schedule 2 or 1 CDs from their stock without destruction being witnessed by an authorised person. The drugs returned to the GP by the patient's carer or relatives after the death of the patient must not be reissued or used to treat other patients. All destruction must be entered into the CD register and must have the signature of the person who witnessed the destruction and the professional destroying it, (two signatures).

9. Incident - Any incident relating to CD should be reported and shared. All GPs whether salaried, full time or part time, are legally obliged to complete an annual self declaration form and send it to the PCT.

10. Update - All professionals involved in the use of CDs must attend an updated course every 3 years or earlier if there are material changes to the legislation.  

www.cgsupport.nhs.uk/downloads/Primary_Care/

controlled_drugs_in_the_community.pdf

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