WA S8 drug management

THE Western Australian Corruption and Crime Commission has published its supplementary Report on the Supply and Management of Schedule 8 Controlled Drugs at Certain Public Hospitals in Western Australia, adding to its 2017 report by that name (PD 04 Jul 2017).

That report described the Commission’s investigation of the repeated theft of drugs by a senior pharmacist at Fiona Stanley Hospital (PD 21 Oct 2016).

The Commission considered the security procedures for handling Schedule 8 controlled drugs at FSH and at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital where the pharmacist had formerly been employed.

The purpose of this new report is to consider more broadly the issue of theft and misuse of dangerous and addictive pharmaceutical drugs by employees of WA Health, and provide direction around preventing serious misconduct.

The report outlines nine recommendations for improving the security and management of Schedule 8 and Schedule 4 Restricted drugs.

The report calls for consistency of policies for drug management, recording and reporting discrepancies along with clearly defined accountability roles related to drug management.

Records of stock holdings, transactions and audits need to be frequently enforced and audited while patients’ own drugs also need tight security, and all drug discrepancies need to be reported immediately and investigated.

Ongoing education and training around drug management, record keeping, reporting discrepancies and investigating discrepancies are to be provided for relevant staff.

Use of technology to help secure and monitor S8 drug management is also recommended.

See the report at ccc.wa.gov.au.