SALM Pre Reading

All medicines are controlled by the Medicines Act 1968 and the Human Medicines Regulations (2012). The Medicines Act remains the primary legislation in force and the Human Medicines Regulations updated and clarified this. These set out the requirements for the legal sale, supply and administration of medicines.

Controlled drugs are further governed by legislation including the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001. The main purpose of these is to prevent the misuse of controlled drugs and covers the prescribing, administering, safe custody, dispensing, record keeping, destruction and disposal of controlled drugs to prevent diversion for misuse.

The Health and Social Care Act 2008 requires all providers of 'regulated activities' in England to register with the Care Quality Commission ( CQC ), and to comply with the requirements and fundamental standards set out in regulations made under that Act.

The Hazardous Waste (England & Wales) Regulations 2005 is a regulatory framework that governs the management and disposal of hazardous waste in England and Wales. The regulations aim to protect human health and the environment by ensuring the proper handling, transport, and disposal of hazardous waste.

Medicines vary in form and can be given by a number of different routes. The form and route by which they are given will depend on: the effect required, how the person’s body is able to absorb the medicine, the person’s ability to take the medicine and the forms in which the prescribed medicine is available. The most common routes of administration that you are likely to come across are: oral, nasal, intramuscular injections, nebulisers and inhalation.

This is a negative reaction to a medication and can be either mild or very serious (anaphylactic shock), but will not occur in every person taking that medication or on every occasion. You must always check for known adverse reactions or allergies prior to administering medication. If you witness an adverse reaction you must record this.

Medicines are used because we want to produce a specific effect on or within the body. However, they can also produce unwanted effects. These are known as ‘side effects’. What this means is that during the use of the medicine, a potentially harmful or unintended response is created within the body. Common side effects for medicines taken internally involve the gastrointestinal system. For medicines used externally, skin irritation is a common complaint. It is essential that you are aware of the common side effects of the medications you give.

A contraindication is a specific situation in which a medicine, procedure, or surgery should not be used because it may be harmful to the person. A caution means that it is possible that the remedy may not be recommended in some circumstances, it is not as strong as a contraindication.