This guide is intended to support teams in ensuring they comply with the law and regulatory expectations set out by the Home Office. Every team must have the following: be either a computerised system or a bound book (which does not include any form of loose leaf register or card index) Combinations that are issued to individual members of staff should not be shared with anyone else, including colleagues;

When the total quantity of the prescription is to be dispensed in instalments, the written prescription needs to state the dates (i.e., the intervals) for the instalments and the amount or quantity to be dispensed. The first instalment must be dispensed within the 28 day validity period. Further instalments do not need to be dispensed during the 28 day validity for Schedule 2, 3 and 4 CDs. Retention of prescriptions Controlled Drugs (Supervision of management and use) Regulations 2013: Information about the Regulations each practice should have clear, written standard operating procedures (SOPs) covering all aspects of CD management that are known, understood and followed by all relevant staff. An incident can be reported anonymously. We will work together to determine whether anything more could or should reasonably be done and share any learning through the medical subcommittee. Please do not withhold information - a learning point in one team may be a lifesaver for another. Annual returnIf CDs are used on the hill this should be radioed through to control for information and a note made on the incident log. Some other Schedule 3 drugs do not need to be stored in the controlled drugs cupboard. Examples include: Records of administration must be made – they are an inherent part of the records. It is accepted that the reality of ‘in the field’ administration cannot immediately be recorded in the CD register. Please ensure you do so as soon as possible, but when in the field, radio in details of administration, if it is possible to do so, and record on the incident log. Some absorbent materials can have their limitations and may not be suitable – it is important to ensure that CDs cannot be reconstituted or reused at any time during the disposal process. Controlled drug liaison officers (CDLOs)

Written prescription requirements as set out in the VMRsmust be met. To be valid, a written prescription must include: Some vets use insulin syringes to minimise wastage. This is acceptable although it is important to ensure that the syringe allows accurate measurement of the dose in millilitres.

Controlled drug governance arrangements

may work for the same franchise or corporate group provided the practices have a different owner and are separate legal entities must record very clearly what you have, where it is, how/when/ where it has been obtained/administered, losses/destructions and who has taken what action