Controlled Drugs delivery systems - Review SOP's

Following a couple of separate incidents In the last two weeks in the Sunderland area where controlled drugs taken for delivery have been ‘lost’.  Ken Dale (Controlled Drug Liason Officer) has advised all pharmacists to review their delivery procedures with regards to controlled drugs.

After investigation of the incidents in Sunderland it appears that the drivers, on both occasions, removed the packaged CD’s from the pharmacy however they were not delivered and there is no credible explanation as to where they have gone.

The investigation has shown that the systems in place for such deliveries were not robust enough and have been changed as a result..

Ken is requesting that  individual pharmacists assess their Standard Operating Procedures particularly around the following points.
 
1. Timed and dated signatures provided by the delivery driver within a ‘CD delivery register’ kept at the pharmacy. This will assist in the auditing of delivery CD’s and aid any future criminal investigation. This could also be used for returned/undelivered CD’s.
2.Timed and dated patient signatures at the point of delivery.
3. Delivery vehicles being fit for purpose, medication out of public view, vehicles to be locked at all times whilst unattended.
4. Consider prioritising the delivery of CD’s. This will reduce the risk of loss by opportunist thieves.

Ken is happy to offer any assistance/advice on this subject and his details are below.
 
Ken Dale
Controlled Drugs Liaison Officer
North of England Commissioning Support (NECS)
Tel: 0191 5297254

Mobile: 07919071655
Email: [email protected]