Controlled drugs
It is a requirement that all CD incidents be reported to the NHSE CD AO team based in Leeds.
The process for reporting CD incidents requires individuals (prescribing or dispensing contractors) to submit the necessary information via an online reporting system. Access to this requires individual registration with the CDAO’s office. There is no limit to the number of people from one organisation that can register on the website.
Go to the CD reporting website and click on ‘Register’. Enter your details and press 'Submit'. The website has a number of functions:
1. Reporting incidents
2. Submitting quarterly occurrence reports – NHS Trusts, Hospitals & Hospices
3. Submitting controlled drug declarations – GPs, dentists and private midwives
4. Destructions – Requesting temporary authorised witness status to CD destruction for a nominated member of practice staff (GP surgeries).
5. FAQ’s
6. Reviewing all your CD submissions
7. Exporting your incidents into Microsoft Excel
If you experience any issues with completing any of the forms please contact your local office on england.yhcdao@nhs.net or refer to the FAQ’s page on the website.
Advice on matters relating to CDs can be obtained from the CDAO office on england.yhcdao@nhs.net or from the North Yorkshire and York Medicines Management Team via Rxline: hnyicb-ny.rxline@nhs.net
If you have an urgent matter, please email england.yhcdao@nhs.net and mark the email URGENT in the subject line. This email inbox is monitored from 08:30am until 4:30pm Monday – Friday (Please note it is not monitored on Bank Holidays).
Lost / stolen prescriptions should be reported via: england.cas-northyorks-humber@nhs.net . If there is significant concern that this involves controlled drugs then this also should be reported to the CD-AO.
CQC Controlled Drugs National Group and CD newsletters
NICE Guidelines - Controlled drugs: safe use and management
NICE Pathways - Controlled drugs: safe use and management overview
Faculty of Pain Medicine - Opioids Aware
NHS England Area Team Controlled Drugs Accountable Officer bulletins
NHS England North East & Yorkshire Controlled Drug Newsletters
Reporting illicit drug reactions
The Report Illicit Drug Reactions (RIDR) website piloted by Public Health England (PHE) in conjunction with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) was closed on 28th February 2020. It is now archived under the UK Government Web Archive the National Archives.
Healthcare professionals should now report illicit drug reactions into local drug alert systems where these exist and/or to the national PHE drugs alert via the dedicated Drug.Alerts@phe.gov.uk inbox. Any potentially person identifiable information such as name or identification number should not be used when using this inbox.
Cannabis Based Medication
Following the relaxation of laws governing access to cannabis for medicinal use in November 2018, the Royal College of GPs (RCGP) has published a desktop guide which provides practical information to help GPs hold informed discussions and support patients to make decisions around the drug. To access the information on the RCGP website please click here and follow the links.
Pregabalin and gabapentin reclassified as class C drugs
Prescription drugs pregabalin and gabapentin were reclassified as class C controlled substances from April 2019 (Schedule 3 drugs). As such it is now illegal to possess pregabalin and gabapentin without a prescription and to supply or sell them to others. Prescriptions of pregabalin and gabapentin will also be limited to 30 days’ treatment, and any prescription received must be dispensed within 28 days.
Prescribers wishing to prescribe CDs on a private prescription should contact the NHS England CDAO: England.yhcdao@nhs.net to request the paperwork that needs to be completed and returned.
The following resources may be of help when prescribing and switching opioids for pain management:
Faculty of Pain Medicine - dose equivalents and changing opioids
NICE guidance - Palliative care for adults: strong opioids for pain relief
Scottish Palliative Care Guidelines - Choosing and changing opioids