Prescription rules tightened
Tighter procedures for prescribing controlled drugs aimed at improving the safety of patients have been announced today by the government.
The proposed amendments to the Misuse of Drugs Regulations Act 2001 come in the wake of the inquiry into Harold Shipman, Britain’s most prolific serial killer.
The GP was convicted in 2000 of killing 15 patients by lethal injection, but a public inquiry subsequently suggested he may have killed as many as 250 patients between 1971 and 1998.
Home Office minister Paul Goggins said today’s consultation measures were intended to follow on from other recommendations made by the inquiry about patient safety.
“This consultation document outlines the government’s proposals to strengthen the procedures for the use of controlled drugs in patient care,” he said.
“These measures follow on from the Shipman Inquiry and are designed to ensure that patients are not put at risk by outdated practices whilst not compromising the legitimate use of controlled drugs by health professionals.”
The proposals include measures to make available information about all prescriptions by a single prescriber, which could be analysed to identify discrepancies.
They would also extend current systems for prescriptions in private medical practices, and require all healthcare providers to make an annual declaration on the amount of controlled drugs they hold.
Pharmacists would also be required to ask for the name, address and some form of personal identification of the person collecting the controlled drugs, whether that person is the patient or a healthcare professional collecting drugs on behalf of the patient.
“We are committed to ensuring all patients have safe access to the care they need and I believe that the proposals within this consultation will ensure that controlled drugs are managed in a professional and responsible fashion,” Mr Goggins said.
The consultation, which has been announced by the Home Office and the Department of Health, was prepared in consultation with the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, NHS organizations, professional and regulatory bodies and the police service.
