In response to recommendations arising from the Shipman Inquiry the Controlled Drugs (Supervision of Management and Use) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (“the Regulations”) came into operation on 1 October 2009. The Regulations were designed to improve controlled drug governance without hindering patients from accessing the treatment they needed.
The Regulations, as far as possible, replicated measures for the supervision of management and use of controlled drugs which came into force in England, Scotland and Wales and have not been subject to amendment until now.
England and Scotland reviewed their equivalent Regulations in 2013 and a range of additional governance arrangements were introduced. The Minister has considered these additional governance arrangements in the context of Northern Ireland healthcare services and has made proposals for amendments.
