Medicines Management Policy - Dudley Primary Care Trust

4.0 Security and Safe Handling of Prescriptions
Thefts and losses over recent years of prescription forms in general have
dramatically increased and the security of prescription forms are the
responsibility of the prescriber. Stock levels of the forms held should be kept to a
minimum.
4.1 General security
The prescription form must only be produced when needed and never left
unattended. When not in use they must be placed in a locked drawer/secure
stationery cupboard. When on patient visits the prescriber must keep the
prescription pad on their person. Prescription forms should never be left in a car.
If prescription pads are taken off PCT premises, they must be kept safe and
secure from other family members and visitors. Under no circumstances
should blank prescription forms be pre-signed before use.
4.2 In the event of loss or suspected theft.
All prescribers should follow the procedures below:
• The prescriber should immediately contact their line manager. For community
nurses this will be their line manager and for practice nurses, their practice
manager.
• The manager will then inform the Personal Assistant to Specialists in
Pharmaceutical Public Health, (SiPPH) Dudley Primary Care Trust
Direct Line: 01384 366589, Fax: 01384 241115
• The Personal Assistant will then inform the Head of Security, the Counter Fraud
Specialist and activate the cascade system by notifying the local community
pharmacists through the “Early Warning System”.
• A Senior Pharmacist will review the circumstances and decide upon any
necessary additional action.
• Prescribers will be asked to temporarily write/sign prescriptions in red or green
coloured ink.
• The incident must be logged on Sentinel.
• The police should also be informed by the manager as soon as possible after
the loss/theft is confirmed, giving details of the approximate number of
prescriptions stolen, their identification numbers, and where and when they
were stolen.
• A crime reference or loss reference number should be recorded against each
incident.
4.3 Recording of prescription numbers
It is good practice at regular intervals to note the prescription number issued to
a patient in the patient’s notes so that should prescription pad or individual
prescription be stolen the prescriber is able to indicate how many forms have
been taken.
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