§ Mr. MorleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what steps he has taken to check prescriptions taken to dispensing chemists on behalf of elderly residents in private nursing homes are not misused;
(2) what steps he has taken to ensure surplus prescribed drugs in private nursing homes are not stockpiled for unauthorised use.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyThe Registered Homes Act 1984 requires the registering district health authority to inspect private nursing homes at least twice each year to ensure that adequate arrangements exist for the recording, safekeeping, handling and disposal of drugs held. Prescribed medicines may be obtained only on the authorisation of a qualified and experienced pharmacist employed by the nursing home and countersigned by a doctor or dentist. It is for the dispensing chemist to satisfy himself as to the appropriateness of each prescription for drugs. Medicines dispensed to individual patients must be given to the patient on discharge or otherwise destroyed in the presence of a patient or relation.