This section contains links to key guidance from the NPC, Department of Health and professional regulators that would be useful and relevant for all those involved in controlled drugs.
Overview
The existing legislation and guidance surrounding controlled drugs is shared between a variety of government departments and other agencies. See legislation section.
Department of Health
The Department of Health Controlled Drug website section contains information on the post Shipman changes to the legal framework around the use and management of controlled drugs. It signposts the user to the relevant legislation and guidance.- Specific DH guidance - Safer Management of Controlled Drugs
- Private CDs and other changes to prescribing and dispensing of CDs
- Record keeping
- Requisitions
- Destruction
Care Quality Commission
The Care Quality Commission website provides an overview of the work of the Care quality Commission to promote the safe management of controlled drugs and resources to support organisations in discharging their responsibilities. It also hosts the register of accountable officers in England.
Controlled Drugs Annual Report 2010
Self Assessment Tool
Register of Accountable Officers in England
Good Practice Guides
Good practice guides have been produced which take account of legislation and guidance from government departments and other agencies.
Primary Care
A guide to good practice in the management of controlled drugs in primary care (England) – 3rd edition
Publication date: December 2009
This version of the Controlled Drugs (CD) guide is the full Third Edition and replaces the Second Edition.
Unfortunately, the NPC is not in a position to be able to answer specific individual queries relating to the management of CDs. This website contains a section dealing with frequently asked questions and individual professional organisations provide a range of advisory services to their members (see Appendix 4 – useful contacts).
The guide is primarily aimed at developing good practice for the management of controlled drugs in primary care in England, but it also encompasses issues raised at the interfaces between primary, secondary and social care. This guide takes into account the significant legislative changes introduced since the publication of the first edition in December 2005.
The guide should be of value in a wide range of settings where CDs are used including:
- GP and dental practices
- Pharmacies
- Midwifery services
- Out-of-hours services
- Patients own home
- Care homes
- Community nursing services
- Community palliative care services
- Substance misuse services
- Hospices
- Prison services
- Ambulance services/paramedics
- Intermediate care services
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided in this guide is accurate and up-to-date. However, the legal and regulatory framework governing CDs is continuing to change significantly and readers should always check that they are referring to the most up-to-date version of this guide, as well as cross-checking with other recognised sources of information.
Secondary Care
Safer management of controlled drugs: a guide to good practice in secondary care (England)
Date of publication: Oct 07
This document promotes the safe and effective use of controlled drugs in healthcare organisations providing secondary care. The guidance will support healthcare professionals and organisations in implementing robust arrangements for controlled drugs.
The safe management of controlled drugs in care homes
Management of Controlled Drugs in Care Homes
Guidance produced by the Care Quality Commission relating to safe practice when controlled drugs are prescribed for care home. The document describes the arrangements that care providers should make when controlled drugs are prescribed for people in care homes
