Individual research recommendation details

Recommendation ID

NG57/5

Question

Access to medicines:- Does the use of directly observed supply of named high-risk medicines (that is, not supplying the medicines to people to hold in-possession), reduce diversion, abuse and non-adherence?

Any explanatory notes
(if applicable)

Why this is important:- Since 2003 self-administration of medicines by people in prison (known as holding medicines 'inpossession') has been encouraged. Directly observed administration is reserved for high-risk medicines and vulnerable patients. But different medicines are categorised as high risk by different prisons so the approach has been inconsistent. This is influenced by local factors including capacity. Delivering directly observed medicines is labour-intensive and difficult to include in the daily schedules of people in prison.
There is no evidence base underpinning which medicines should be administered under observation. This research would provide evidence to inform the development of a more consistent list of high-risk medicines that need direct observation to improve safety. The research would also inform commissioners of health and offender management services about the need to provide the workforce and operational capacity to administer high-risk medicines safely.

Source guidance details

Comes from guidance

Physical health of people in prison

Number

NG57

Date issued

November 2016

Other details