It is ultimately  the responsibility of the Controlled drugs accountable officer  how they perceive the best and most secure  method  for Storing Controlled drugs in a vehicle for their own specific operational requirements.

We strongly advise you to seek the guidance of your CD accountable officer before embarking on a particular storage method.

Storing Controlled drugs in a vehicle

The Misuse of Drugs ( safe custody) regulations 1975 regulates the storage and safe custody of Controlled drugs in Care homes and Community Pharmacies.  Although the Misuse of Drugs ( safe custody) regulations 1975 do not apply to Ambulance trusts  they are considered to be a good minimum standard for the storage of Controlled drugs.

If the vehicle is an Ambulance then the following is advisable:-

• The Controlled drugs cabinets should be fitted to the vehicle using a secure mounting point on the vehicle ( chassis member ).
• Fixing bolts and fixing brackets supplied with the CD cabinet should be fitted according to the manufacturers requirements.
• The fixing bolts should only be accessible from inside the CD cabinet.
• Ensure the Ambulance does not have a false floor, if so take extra precautions by fitting additional brackets which can be supplied by the manufacturer.
• Vehicles including Ambulances used for Storing Controlled drugs in a vehicle should be alarmed.They should also be kept overnight in a locked building preferably also alarmed if CDs are stored within the vehicle for operational reasons.

Storing Controlled drugs in a vehicle

If the vehicle is not an Ambulance but for operational reasons Storing Controlled drugs in a vehicle is a necessity then the following should be considered:-

• Do not display on the vehicle any thing which would draw attention to the vehicle.
• Do not display on the vehicle any markings which would indicate Controlled drugs are stored in the vehicle.
• When the vehicle is left unattended ensure it is locked and parked in a well lit area and public place.
• If possible when the vehicle is left unattended and particularly overnight the Controlled drugs should be removed from the vehicle and stored in a controlled drugs cabinet designed specifically for this purpose.

This information is for guidance only. We strongly advise you consult your Controlled drugs accountable officer before implementing any changes or  Storing Controlled drugs in a vehicle.

We hope this has provided useful information and should you wish to discuss any aspects of it further please do not hesitate to contact us on 01623 559966

The post Storing Controlled drugs in a vehicle appeared first on Controlled Drugs Cabinets from Pharmacy Medical.

A brief guide and guidance on how to keep controlled drugs safely.

Guidance on how to keep controlled drugs

Buy from our range of Controlled drugs cabinets please click here.

How to keep controlled Drugs, The Misuse of Drugs (safe custody) regulations 1975 states :- The occupier and any other person who is concerned with the management of controlled Drugs shall ensure that at all times where ever possible they keep controlled Drugs under lock and key, which can include the following:-

Controlled drugs cabinet, CDC-110 with the door open showing the inside layout and lock

• They should  keep controlled drugs in either  a locked room constructed of bricks laid in cement at least 229 mm thick, reinforced or dense Concrete blocks of at least 150 mm thick. Or with steel sheet fixed externally by bolting using not less than 12mm diameter bolts at not less than 305 mm centres. Alternatively the steel sheet can be welded instead of, or as well as bolting. For more information on this please click here   or
• They should  keep Controlled Drugs in  a specially constructed  Controlled Drugs cabinet. The keys should be stored in a safe place and only the people authorised to have access to the controlled Drugs should have access to them. The cabinet should be constructed from 2 mm steel and must comply with BS 2881-1989 and The Misuse of drugs(safe custody) regulation 1975. The cabinet should be fitted securely to the wall or floor using fixing which should be supplied by the manufacturer. Please click here to see  more information.

Any premises storing Controlled drugs must have a Controlled Drugs register (a separate Controlled drugs register must be kept for each of the premises). This must take the form of a bound book or in an electronic form and must be kept for at least two years. Please see here for more information.

Controlled drugs cabinet stock levels in one of our two storage areas here at Pharmacy Medical

Pharmacy Medical manufacture controlled Dugs cabinets suitable for the storage of Controlled Drugs within the United Kingdom. Please click here for more information

The information  contained within this blog regarding how to keep controlled drugs has been imparted by us from our own experience and knowledge. You are advised to satisfy yourself that any information taken from this is suitable for your own use. You are advised to seek the advice of your accountable officer before implementing any procedure regarding how to keep controlled drugs.

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