Storage of medicines

The procedures for the storage of medicines are given below.

Procedure	Rationale
All medications must be stored in locked cupboards, trolleys or fridges when not in use. Trolleys and fridges must be secured to the wall	To ensure safety and reduce risk of theft and unauthorized use and to maintain stability of drug through appropriate storage
Controlled drugs must be stored in an inner locked cupboard within a second outer locked cupboard with a readily identifiable red external light	To ensure safety, reduce risk of unauthorized misuse and to ensure adherence with legislation
Keys to controlled drugs cupboard and medicines trolley/cupboards should be in the keeping of a first-level registered nurse at all times	To prevent unauthorized misuse
Ensure regular checks of stock made by either senior nurse or pharmacist	To maintain stock and check expiry dates of drug, reducing risk of error or misuse
Prescription pads must be kept in locked cupboard	To prevent unauthorized misuse
All prescriptions and order forms must be kept by the hospital or pharmacy for a period of two years from the date of issue	To enable random auditing and security checks