Professional guidance on the safe and secure handling of medicines

This professional guidance details the four core governance principles that underpin a framework for the safe and secure handling of medicines and can be used to develop working practices, policies and procedures.

Medicines are used in all healthcare settings and the safe and secure handling of medicines is essential to ensure patient safety. The revision of the ‘Safe and Secure Handling of Medicines’ broadens the scope of the guidance to all healthcare settings and covers all pharmacists and other health professionals working whose role involves handling medicines.

The good practice guidance described in this online resource covers obtaining medicines, their transport, receipt, manufacture or manipulation and storage. It also includes information on the issuing of medicines, and their removal or disposal. Additional guidance is provided on the storage of medicines, the handling of controlled drugs and the safe and secure handling of medicines in theatres.

‘Safe and Secure Handling of Medicines’ is produced in line with the gold standard of NICE accreditation.

More information on the Professional Guidance on the Safe and Secure Handling of Medicines can be found here.