A controlled drug (CD) is a special category of prescription only medicine controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. The Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 include 5 schedules that classify all controlled medicines and drugs. Schedule 1 has the highest level of control, but drugs in this group are never prescribed as they have no known acceptable medical use and carry a high abuse potential, such as LSD. Schedule 5 has a much lower level of control.

The purpose of these controls is to prevent medicines being misused, obtained illegally or causing harm. There will be a separate SOP for controlled drugs in your pharmacy and some of these drugs must be stored in a locked and secured cupboard.

As a delivery driver you are authorised to collect the CD on behalf of the customer, and your pharmacist will ask you to sign the back of the prescription. It is good practice for the prescription to remain within the pharmacy, however your pharmacist may give you a copy of the prescription to keep with the medicines as evidence that you have authority to be in possession of the CD. It is important that this prescription copy is kept securely and returned to the pharmacy for destruction as it contains confidential patient information.

Due to the safe custody requirements of CDs, you will need to ensure they are kept as secure as possible and in a locked container whilst in transit.

It may also be good practice to get the patient to sign for the delivery to show the transfer of possession from you to the patient.