Schedule 2 drugs

RE: Schedule 2 drugs

Jean Douglas — Fri, 04 Jan 2019 15:45:54 GMT

I used to work in a practice where a lot of other drugs where kept in the DD safe & it was a nightmare. When I started some key holders would lock the thing open because they got fed up (rightly so) of being disturbed every 5 minutes for the key. That was solved by moving the Shc 2's to another safe & issuing the Head nurse with a key to the main cabinet.

I know of practices where the DDs are in a second lock-box inside the locked anaesthetics drugs cabinet.

I suppose it depends on who you are trying to keep the drugs safe from (or who you are trying to keep safe from the drugs!) & individual practice. I also worked in a practice where the key was held by the principal & the authorised holder each day (a V/s) signed for it & signed it back in. It worked well in that environment but I can see it wouldn't in other places

There is also the The Misuse of Drugs (Safe Custody) Regulations 1973. Which is a very dull read, even by legislation standards. Its summarised in the RCVS controlled drugs guidance :)

RE: Schedule 2 drugs

apache — Tue, 01 Jan 2019 16:20:48 GMT

Interesting. I've never seen one in practice that needs 2 keys. We keep the keys in a coded box next to the DD safe and all the vets and nurse have the code. Access is never an issue (digital coded DD safes are now available and ok with PSS).

RE: Schedule 2 drugs

Jean Douglas — Mon, 31 Dec 2018 19:12:31 GMT

:) I will attempt to find a reference :)

For now the BSAVA Guide to the Use of Veterinary Medicines states

The cabinet should be for the sole use of storing CDs

so maybe I should have said CDs not Sch 2, however Buprenorphine is the only other CD that requires safe custody by law (correct me if I'm out of date) Best practice would be to lock up your other drugs, true, but unless the practice is small the practicalities of storing the Sch 2 & 3s CDs with the anaesthetics, epiphen etc causes a lot of grief. A separate locked storage is more practical

Again form the BSAVA - the (DD) cabinet

Preferably it is double locked (with separate keys)
Cabinets must be kept locked when not in use

So trying to find 2 veterinary surgeons or other authorised key holders every time you need some Iso or diazepam or epiphen or propofol can difficult. These drugs could be stored locked away, but with the HVN etc or similar with the keys

RE: Schedule 2 drugs

apache — Mon, 31 Dec 2018 16:51:44 GMT

[quote user="Jean Douglas"]Also make sure you DD cupboard only contains Schedule 2 drugs - it shouldn't be a free for all for anyone needing anaesthetics, sch 3 drugs etc[/quote]

Is this a regulation or just your view? We keep anaesthetics and all CDs in together. I think they want locking up in general.

RE: Schedule 2 drugs

Jean Douglas — Mon, 31 Dec 2018 16:45:58 GMT

:) you don't need to tell anyone. Use a separate page in your DD book for each drug so you can keep a running total. (you only need one book per premises - not one per drug. Not seen the Dechra one - ours are NHS approved pharmacy ones)

This is useful reading too BSAVA guide to the use of vet meds. Free access https://www.bsavalibrary.com/content/chapter/10.22233/9781905319862.chap4#html_fulltext

Also make sure you DD cupboard only contains Schedule 2 drugs - it shouldn't be a free for all for anyone needing anaesthetics, sch 3 drugs etc :)

RE: Schedule 2 drugs

Andrea Tarr — Sun, 30 Dec 2018 17:38:30 GMT

I don't think there's anything that says that you must notify anyone that you are stocking schedule 2 CDs, but you need to comply with the law:

Key facts about Schedule 2 CDs:

Schedule 2 drugs:

they are only available on special prescription, and specific requisition and record keeping is required
they must be recorded in either a computerised system or a bound book (which does not include any form of loose leaf register or card index) when purchased and also each time they are used (records must be entered within 24 hours, in chronological order and in indelible link)
any destruction must be authorised and witnessed by a person or group of people authorised by an Accountable Officer
they must be kept in a locked cabinet.

The RCVS PSS and BSAVA have specific guidance on certain aspects, like on audit and destruction.

Here is a helpful document, which covers it all:

https://www.rcvs.org.uk/news-and-views/publications/controlled-drugs-guidance/?destination=%2Fnews-and-views/publications%2F