Updated guidance on controlled drugs
5 January 2010
The National Prescribing Centre has updated its guidance on the management of controlled drugs in primary care in England.
The guide includes important legislative changes affecting the prescribing, record keeping and disposal of controlled drugs, which have occurred since the first edition was published in December 2005.
The document has been revised to reflect
- new working practices
- the developing roles of healthcare professionals
- the need to make better use of skills within the workforce, and to develop the role of pharmacy technicians and operating department practitioners.
It describes how these developments work within the existing legal framework for controlled drugs. The guide also tackles issues that can occur between primary, secondary and social care workers.
The guide is not specifically for hospital doctors, the National Prescribing Centre says the content will be relevant to those involved in the management of controlled drugs across all NHS and non-NHS settings.