This course explains the UK legal framework for controlled drugs and the practical steps for ordering, storing, recording, administering, returning and destroying them safely. It teaches you how to respond to a discrepancy, what regulators expect, and how to reflect on and remedy a controlled drugs concern.
What you will learn
- Describe the five schedules of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 and the main legal requirements that apply to each.
- Store, record and administer controlled drugs in line with the law, national guidance and local policy.
- Make accurate entries in a controlled drug register, including correct handling of mistakes.
- Respond correctly to a stock discrepancy, including escalation to the Controlled Drugs Accountable Officer where needed.
- Explain how regulators view controlled drug concerns and build a remediation plan with verifiable evidence.
Course content
- Why controlled drugs need special care (2 min)
- The legal framework and the schedules (3 min)
- Safe storage, ordering and record keeping (3 min)
- Administration, returns and destruction (3 min)
- Discrepancies: what to do (3 min)
- Accountability and what regulators expect (2 min)
- Case study, reflection and remediation plan (3 min)
- Knowledge check (10 questions, 10 min)
- Guided reflection (15 min)
Standards and guidance covered
- Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 (as amended)
- Misuse of Drugs (Safe Custody) Regulations 1973
- Controlled Drugs (Supervision of Management and Use) Regulations 2013
- NICE guideline NG46: Controlled drugs: safe use and management
- NMC: The Code (2015, updated 2018), including the sections on medicines, record keeping and acting with honesty and integrity
- GPhC: Standards for pharmacy professionals (2017)
- Royal Pharmaceutical Society: Professional guidance on the safe and secure handling of medicines
Certificate
Courses are free to study. When you pass the knowledge check (80%) and complete your reflection, you can buy a verified certificate showing your CPD time, with a unique ID and QR code that anyone can check on our verification page.
Study free at your own pace on any device.
Practitioner Insight is an independent education provider. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the GMC, MPTS, NMC, HCPC, GPhC or any NHS organisation, and this information is not legal advice. If you have been referred to a regulator, speak to your defence organisation, trade union or legal representative.