THE Victorian Pharmacy Authority (VPA) has highlighted concerns about ongoing "serious deficiencies in the recording and storage of Schedule 8 (S8) poisons," which continue to be regularly uncovered during its inspections.
A communiqu issued by the Authority yesterday highlighted several recent cases, saying "licensees should ensure that all pharmacists, including locums, are made aware of procedures for the management of S8 poisons at the pharmacy".
Written policies and procedures are highly recommended, with transactions in S8 poisons required to be recorded as soon as possible and the VPA recommending regular independent audits of transactions on an ongoing basis to ensure accuracy of the register.
The communiqu also included details of three panel hearings last month into allegations that licensees had failed to meet their responsibilities in terms of good pharmacy practice.
Issues raised included insufficient air conditioning in an overheating pharmacy, discrepancies in records for S8 items, a lack of current editions of mandatory references, and inaccurate maintenance of dose administration aid filling records.
Cautions and reprimands were issued, with one licensee having a condition imposed requiring submission of quarterly self-audits.
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