CQC Releases Latest Controlled Drugs Annual Update Report
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has recently released details from its latest annual report on the safer management of controlled drugs in England, highlighting key findings from its work in 2023, performed under the Controlled Drugs (Supervision of Management and Use) Regulations 2013.
The CQC presents several concerns and recommendations regarding the risks associated with controlled drugs and the issues still present within the health and care systems.
One area of key concern is regarding the prescription of controlled drugs from outside England. Regulatory gaps have resulted in people accessing a range of inappropriately prescribed medicines, which in some instances have resulted in both harm and death.
Along with key findings, the report provides recommendations to raise awareness and address some of the specific issues the CQC identified during the last year, including:
- For health and care services: – share information about concerns in relation to controlled drugs with the right organisations as soon as possible, including with NHS England controlled drugs local intelligence networks.
- For national bodies and government – address online prescribing of controlled drugs in Schedules 4 and 5 by services and prescribers outside of the United Kingdom and review the impact of the 2018 legislation change to allow prescribing of cannabis-based products for medicinal use (CBPMs).
- For police services – check that controlled drugs liaison officers are adequately resourced to provide support and advice for services that use controlled drugs.
Sources: CQC – Controlled drugs annual update report for 2023
Controlled Drugs (Supervision of Management and Use) Regulations 2013
Who Are The CQC?
The CQC are an independent regulator of England’s health and adult social care.
Their role is to ensure that health and social care services provide people with safe, effective, compassionate, high-quality care, and to provide guidance on how care services can improve.
The CQC additionally monitors, inspects and regulates services, publishing their findings and where poor care is identified, can take action against poor-performing service providers.
You can find out more about the CQC and their role here:
About The Care Quality Commission.
Prescription and Medication Errors
If you have been affected by a prescription or medication error, you may be entitled to claim compensation. In addition to compensating you for any injuries sustained as a result, it may cover the costs associated with any additional medical treatment required or any loss of income resulting from the incident.
Our medical negligence specialists have helped in many prescription error cases, including in cases where medical or healthcare professionals have:
- prescribed the wrong medication
- prescribed the wrong dose
- failed to take into account pre-existing medical conditions which may not be compatible with the prescribed medication
When things don’t go right, we are here to get you the answers you deserve. Speak to us today about your medical negligence claim. Call us on 0800 987 8800 or make a free online enquiry here, and we will contact you. Alternatively, drop us an email at medneg@bmcf.co.uk.
Medical negligence Specialists – Bridge McFarland LLP
medicalnegligence.co.uk is owned and operated by Bridge McFarland LLP, an established and nationally recognised law firm renowned for specialist expertise and experience in this complex area of law. With our determination and commitment to providing our clients with an exceptional standard of service, we have held the highly regarded Lexcel quality mark since June 2008.