Collecting controlled drugs for my wife - new rule or.....

[skeggysteve]

My wife has been on Morphine patches for years and I've always collected them.

Couple of weeks ago we moved and the new surgery/pharmacy have made my wife sign a form to say that I can collect the drugs.

We were told that it is something I must have with me when collecting the drugs just in case I get stopped by the police so I can prove that I'm not a dealer!

It's a new one on me, anyone else had this?

[Brainpox]

Seems a responsible idea. Controlled drugs are exactly that, and if they aren't for you it's good to have some documentation to explain why you have them.

Also: https://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/1391.aspx?CategoryID=...

said:

If you're collecting "controlled medication" for someone else, you're legally required to show the pharmacist proof of your identity if asked. To collect certain medicines, you'll need a letter from the patient giving you authorisation to act as their representative. The pharmacist will let you know what's required.

[LizzyD]

Hi

That regulation has been in place for quite a few years, following the Shipman enquiry.
If you had been going to the same pharmacy for a while, especially an independent, then they may not have bothered.
But a new pharmacy especially if part of a large chain is more likely to follow the rules.

[skeggysteve]

Thanks for the replies.

I don't disagree that it's a good idea, but it's never been raised before and, as I said I've been collecting these for years.

TBH I've never thought about been stopped by the police and having having a large bag of drugs with me!

Both the old and new pharmacy are within and part of the surgery not independant or large chains. The old one always asked for my ID as has the new one.

Interesting to read that the regulation has been in place for years, I wonder if some pharmacys don't take as much care as they should or because I'm older and reasonable well dressed they just assume that I'm not the drug dealer type!

[Moobs]

With harsher fines and penalty's put in place. Now its in the interest of the companies to have a more vested interest, rather than shoving all the liability to the responsible pharmacist who could lose their license, pay a big fine and face jail time.
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There are some amusing video sketches on youtube about customers to the pharmacy.
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What a lot of people don't realize is that a pharmacist is one of only a few non emergency health professions where an appointment is not mandatory. Hence the average Joe/Jane expecting instant service. Unfortunately the regulatory representatives for this profession is severely lacking.
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Not a Pharmacist btw

[meehaja]

The market for CDs is huge at the moment, there’s also a bit of a trade on “ive lost my medication/ had it stolen” usually to a&e or out of hours dr, to get more for selling. It’ll settle down but it’s a hot topic at the moment.

[grumpy52]

My sister had fun with contamination to her wash bag after giving my father his Oramorph medication over a weeks visit then getting the bag swabbed by US immigration on holiday . She had an interview and much sympathy from the officer .
The pharmacy were less than helpful when we tried to return leftover medication when my father passed away . The nurse from Pilgrims Hospice ( fantastic people) took it all away in the end .