Dealing with Suspected Illicit Drugs Brought Into Hospital

POPAM APPENDIX 23

DEALING WITH SUSPECTED ILLICIT DRUGS BROUGHT INTO HOSPITAL

BY A PATIENT AND HANDED IN TO PHARMACY

AIM OF PROCEDURE

The aim of this procedure is to ensure that nursing and pharmacy staff deal safely and legally with chemical substances thought to be illegal, when brought into hospital by a patient and handed to Pharmacy.

Action by nursing or medical staff may vary depending on individual circumstances and they should seek advice on their action from senior nursing, medical or operational manager.

Action by Security Department is currently being reviewed.

It should be recognised that if an illegal substance is returned to a patient by a member of staff, then that person may be regarded as a “supplier” and, as such, is committing an illegal act. Staff must not contact the police, since this is a breach of patient confidentiality.

PROCEDURE

1. The nurse will notify Pharmacy that a suspected illicit drug is on the ward.

2. The pharmacist will visit the ward/department at the earliest opportunity to remove the substance and take the Illicit Drug Transfer of Custody form for signing by the nurse.

3. The pharmacist must return the substance to the pharmacy and place it within the CD store. A record must be made in the register kept for this purpose.

Note: i) The description of the substance should not imply that the pharmacist

has analysed it, e.g., “brown substance”, not “cannabis resin.”

ii) The pharmacist should inform the Pharmacy Director or deputy, e.g., Dispensary or Operational Manager, of the occurrence, including the amount of substance involved.

iii) The Pharmacy Director or deputy will decide with support from the Legal Department whether it is necessary to inform the police of the occurrence, if a large amount of substance is involved.

4. The substance will be stored in the Controlled Drugs Store in pharmacy until it can be destroyed by an authorised person. This will generally be within 6 months.

5. If a patient demands the return of the substance on discharge, the nurse should advise that the substance is not available as we cannot act as a “supplier.” They can write to the Pharmacy Director at GRH requesting the return of the substance.

6. It is possible that the police may require the substance as part of an enquiry. Each case should be considered on its own merits by the Pharmacy Director or deputy, with support from the Legal Department, as necessary. If a substance is subsequently handed over, the police officer collecting it must sign the register to indicate the transfer of custody.

GLOUCESTERSHIRE HOSPITALS NHS FOUNDATION TRUST

SUSPECTED ILLICIT DRUG TRANSFER OF CUSTODY FORM

Description of suspected illicit drug

Nurse handing to Pharmacist:

Print Name

Signature

Dated

Collected by Pharmacist:

Print Name

Pharmacist Signature

Feb 2011