The guidance on this page applies during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. When protecting vulnerable people who may not understand social distancing guidelines, you must act in a way that is proportionate, pragmatic, safe, and focused on the best interests of individuals and the wider system.
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Medicines information for adult social care services
Find the medicines information for adult social care by type of care setting.
Or see the full list of medicines information for adult social care services.
Care homes
There will be times when people spend time away from their residential care setting. When this happens, it is vital to consider the safe continuity of medicines supply.
You must have a policy or standard operating procedure which details how you manage controlled drugs within your service. This should cover the ordering, storing, administering, recording and disposal of controlled drugs.
Gabapentin and pregabalin are now Schedule 3 controlled drugs under the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001, and Class C of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
Covert administration is when medicines are administered in a disguised format.
A care worker supporting people with their medicines must be appropriately trained and competent to carry out this task.
Insulin is a hormone which helps to regulate metabolism and lowers blood glucose levels.
All care settings should have a written policy for the safe disposal of surplus, unwanted or expired medicines.
This information reflects new International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative guidelines adopted from 1 April 2018.
During end of life care, one clinician should be responsible for a person’s medicines. This will depend on where the person lives but would usually be their GP. In some cases, hospice teams may give support.
Enteral feeding tubes provide access to the stomach or jejunum (small intestine). They are used in cases where there is an obstruction or difficulty in swallowing.
External medicines can include creams, ointments, lotions and patches.
Sharps injuries are a well-known risk in the health and social care sector. Sharps contaminated with an infected patient's blood can transmit more than 20 diseases, including hepatitis B, C and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
Anticoagulants are used to prevent the blood from clotting as normal and are therefore used to treat and prevent blood clots.
Clozapine is an antipsychotic medicine used to treat schizophrenia. But it can cause serious side effects.
Lithium is used as a mood stabiliser. Lithium is sometimes prescribed in the management and treatment of mania, hypomania, recurrent depression, and bipolar disorder.
Sodium valproate and valproic acid are known collectively as valproate. Brands include Epilim, Depakote, Convulex, Episenta, Epival, Kentlim, Orlept, Syonell and Valpaland. There are other generic brands.
The guidance on this page applies during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. When protecting vulnerable people who may not understand social distancing guidelines, you must act in a way that is proportionate, pragmatic, safe, and focused on the best interests of individuals and the wider system.
Oxygen has been widely used medically for many years. It is a gas and you should treat it as a medicine.
Care providers have been reviewing the way they manage seasonal influenza (flu) vaccines in light of the coronavirus pandemic. This page includes useful considerations. They are not intended as clinical guidance.
The guidance on this page applies during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Care staff should involve people in decisions about their treatment and care. People should get the support they need to help them to take a full part in making decisions.
Good record keeping protects people receiving medicines support and their care workers.
Anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) are used to prevent seizures. This can include seizures caused by epilepsy as well as non-epilepsy seizures.
Medicines reconciliation is the process of accurately listing a person’s medicines. This could be when they're admitted into a service or when their treatment changes.
You might use a range of different MCAs in adult social care settings. They should not be the first choice intervention to help people manage their medicines.
Information about a range of frequently used non-prescription medicines which people can buy over the counter to treat minor illnesses.
Healthcare professionals in primary care support the health needs of people living in care homes. NHS England and NHS Improvement have developed a framework for more structured support. It aims to improve the safety and outcomes for people taking medicines in a care home.
The guidance on this page applies during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Medicines re-use should only be considered where there is an immediate need for the medicine, and either no other stocks are available or no suitable alternatives exist for an individual.
NICE guidance on managing medicines in care homes (SC1) states that care home providers should ensure that a robust process is in place for identifying, reporting, reviewing and learning from medicines errors involving residents.
People have the right to choose to manage their own medicines. Staff should consider a person's choice and whether there is a risk to them or others.
This guidance describes how you must manage medicines which need to be in the 'cold chain'.
Medicines should be stored in a way that means they are safe and will be effective when administered.
Some medicines need to be given at a certain time to make sure they are safe or work effectively.
Appropriate training, support and competency makes care safe, high quality and consistent.
Meeting nutritional and hydration needs is governed by regulation 14 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. A lack of vitamin D can lead to bone deformities such as rickets in children, and bone pain in adults.
PRN medicines are prescribed to treat various conditions and should be taken when required by the patient.
NICE launched a campaign to encourage health commissioners and local authorities to have written agreements. These agreements should set out clear responsibilities for home-based medicines support. The guiding principles are also useful for staff working in care homes.
Home care
Your policy or standard operating procedure on managing medicines must include controlled drugs. When you assess what medicines support a person needs, you must include support with controlled drugs.
Gabapentin and pregabalin are now Schedule 3 controlled drugs under the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001, and Class C of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
Covert administration is when medicines are administered in a disguised format.
A care worker supporting people with their medicines must be appropriately trained and competent to carry out this task.
Insulin is a hormone which helps to regulate metabolism and lowers blood glucose levels.
This information reflects new International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative guidelines adopted from 1 April 2018.
Enteral feeding tubes provide access to the stomach or jejunum (small intestine). They are used in cases where there is an obstruction or difficulty in swallowing.
External medicines can include creams, ointments, lotions and patches.
Sharps injuries are a well-known risk in the health and social care sector. Sharps contaminated with an infected patient's blood can transmit more than 20 diseases, including hepatitis B, C and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
Anticoagulants are used to prevent the blood from clotting as normal and are therefore used to treat and prevent blood clots.
Clozapine is an antipsychotic medicine used to treat schizophrenia. But it can cause serious side effects.
Lithium is used as a mood stabiliser. Lithium is sometimes prescribed in the management and treatment of mania, hypomania, recurrent depression, and bipolar disorder.
Sodium valproate and valproic acid are known collectively as valproate. Brands include Epilim, Depakote, Convulex, Episenta, Epival, Kentlim, Orlept, Syonell and Valpaland. There are other generic brands.
These are some of the key points from the NICE guidance about administration of medicines for adults in community settings.
The guidance on this page applies during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Care staff should involve people in decisions about their treatment and care. People should get the support they need to help them to take a full part in making decisions.
Good record keeping protects people receiving medicines support and their care workers.
Anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) are used to prevent seizures. This can include seizures caused by epilepsy as well as non-epilepsy seizures.
Medicines reconciliation is the process of accurately listing a person’s medicines. This could be when they're admitted into a service or when their treatment changes.
You might use a range of different MCAs in adult social care settings. They should not be the first choice intervention to help people manage their medicines.
Information about a range of frequently used non-prescription medicines which people can buy over the counter to treat minor illnesses.
NICE guidance on managing medicines in care homes (SC1) states that care home providers should ensure that a robust process is in place for identifying, reporting, reviewing and learning from medicines errors involving residents.
Some medicines need to be given at a certain time to make sure they are safe or work effectively.
Appropriate training, support and competency makes care safe, high quality and consistent.
Meeting nutritional and hydration needs is governed by regulation 14 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. A lack of vitamin D can lead to bone deformities such as rickets in children, and bone pain in adults.
NICE launched a campaign to encourage health commissioners and local authorities to have written agreements. These agreements should set out clear responsibilities for home-based medicines support. The guiding principles are also useful for staff working in care homes.
Supported living
A CQC registered provider may provide personal care to a person in a supported living scheme and also administer their medicines. The medicines administration is considered ‘ancillary to’ the personal care they are receiving.
- Last updated:
- 20 July 2020
