Medicines Management Policy - Dudley Primary Care Trust

6. Transport of Medicines
6.1 All medicines will be transported in such a manner as to prevent loss or improper
use.
6.2 If a messenger service (e.g. porter, driver) is used the medicines will be
contained in a sealed tamper evident satchel or other sealed container and kept
in charge of the messenger until handed to the individual in charge.
6.3 When items requiring refrigeration are transported, care must be taken to
maintain the cold chain.
6.4 If medicines are being transported by non-clinical members of PCT staff or Social
Services staff they must have received training in the safe transport of medicines
and follow the guidance in section 7.6 below.
6.5 Community Nurses may act as the patient/client’s representative in collecting
prescription medicines from a Pharmacy. This should only be done in
circumstances where it is essential for the patient/client’s immediate treatment.
A Community Pharmacy delivery service must be used, where available, when
the patient/client has difficulty collecting their medication or returning items no
longer required.
6.6 Members of staff transporting medicines, including dressings, should:
i) Carry the absolute minimum stock required.
ii) Carry the medicines in such a manner as not to be obvious.
iii) Whenever possible, travel direct to the place where the medicines are to
be administered but in any case within that span of duty N.B. CDs
(controlled drugs) must be delivered immediately once collected.
Avoid leaving medicines unattended in a vehicle unless in very
exceptional circumstances. Where it is necessary to leave medicines in
a vehicle they must always be stored out of sight and the vehicle locked.
iv) Return directly back to the site of storage with any unused medicines.
Medicines or products prescribed for an individual patient on a PPD
(Prescription Pricing Authority e.g. FP(10)) prescription form must be left
with the patient since it is their property.
v) Record when and where medicines have been transported.
6.7 Used syringes, needles and any part used injections must be discarded into a
suitable sharps container prior to transporting back to base. Please refer to
PCT Sharps Policy.
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