Medication
Controlled drugs
Also known as: CDs, controlled medicines
Medicines subject to additional legal controls under the Misuse of Drugs legislation, requiring secure storage, a controlled drugs register, and, in many homes, witnessed administration.
Controlled drugs are medicines governed by the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001, which place them into schedules according to their risk of misuse. Common examples in care homes include some strong painkillers.
Depending on the schedule, controlled drugs may need to be held in a dedicated controlled drugs cabinet, recorded in a controlled drugs register with a running balance, and administered with a witness, according to the home's policy and the medicine's classification.
Why it matters for care homes
Controlled drugs carry specific legal duties, and errors or discrepancies in the register are treated seriously at inspection. Accurate stock balances and administration records are essential.
Source: Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 (legislation.gov.uk)
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Care home management software designed to help you evidence CQC compliance, manage medicines, and keep person-centred records.