1

The following procedure applies to pharmacists, trained Registered Nurses or suitably qualified practitioners (in the absence of a pharmacist e.g. outwith pharmacy hours).

Monitored Dosage Systems brought into hospital by the patient, (e.g. Nomads, Venalinks) must not be used while the patient is in hospital, as there is no assurance to the content of the monitored dosage system, unless they have been approved for use by a pharmacist. The medication may also have changed on admission to hospital.


2.	Medication within container must be identified as being the same as that written on the label. Any medication, which is not clearly identifiable, e.g. unmarked tablets, clear liquids, must not be used, unless approved for use by a pharmacist.
3.	The directions on the label must be the same as on the prescription chart, if there is a discrepancy, contact the prescriber for clarification.
4.	Medication which must not be used:
4.1	Short shelf lives, e.g. Glyceryl Trinitrate tablets
4.2	Require storage in refrigerator
4.3	Opened sterile preparations, e.g. eye drops
5.	Appearance of container, label and medicine must be acceptable, including:
5.1	Container must be intact and reasonably clean
5.2	Label must be legible and clean
5.3	Tablets/capsules must be clean, whole and without visible signs of deterioration
6.	Where medication has no label, it must not be used unless it is:
6.1	In blister packaging with clearly marked name, strength & expiry of medicine
6.2	A clearly identifiable medicine, in an original container, marked with an expiry date
7.	Measures must be taken to ensure that the medication has been stored appropriately; check with patient if possible.
8.	If in doubt, do not use medication.
9.	Medication deemed to be of acceptable quality:
	The medicines are placed in the patient’s own medicine locker.
10.	Medication deemed unacceptable for use:
10.1	If the medicines are to be returned to the patient after their stay or to a relative, place the medicines in a separate plastic bag from any medicines accepted for use and store in the medicines cupboard.
10.2	Where disposal of medicines is deemed necessary, the pharmacist will dispose of them by the appropriate disposal procedure after verbal consent is obtained from the patient/carer and documented.

1.	Medicine container must be clearly labelled with:
1.1	Patients Name
1.2	Name and strength of medicine
1.3	Date dispensed - (do not use if dispensed more than 3 months previously (for loose tablets/capsules) or if expired)
1.4	Name and address of supplier (i.e. Pharmacy)