Controlled drugs destruction request process
On 1st July 2024 the Northeast Controlled Drugs Team updated the Destruction/Authorised Witness (AW) module on the CD Reporting Tool.
The following link will share the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and will guide you through the process for accessing the new module and completing an application.
PLEASE NOTE – IF YOU ARE PART OF A MULTIPLE PHARMACY CHAIN WITH AN INTERNAL AUTHORISED WITNESS, THIS PROCESS DOES NOT APPLY TO YOU – PLEASE FOLLOW YOUR ORGANISATIONAL PROCESS FOR CD DESTRUCTIONS
All Community Pharmacies (apart from those mentioned above) and GP Practices will be required to follow this process for the destruction of out of date controlled drugs by applying for a professionally registered colleague within their own team to act as a temporary authorised person to witness the destruction of controlled drugs stored in their controlled drugs cabinet. This must be a registered healthcare professional who is not responsible for the day to day use or management of CDs at the premises such as a pharmacist, pharmacy technician, GP or nurse (for medical practices). The person undertaking the destruction must not be the same person who has been nominated as an authorised person and does not need to be a registered colleague (i.e. a dispenser).
Once the application has been assessed and regulatory checks have been completed, the CDAO will determine to issue an Authorised Witness licence limited to 28 days to witness the destruction of controlled drugs with the quantities listed on your portal request. If the application is not approved an approved NHS England colleague will attend to witness the destruction.
Please note it is a legal requirement for you to have a valid T28 Exemption certificate before any controlled drugs destructions are undertaken. If you do not have a certificate you can register via T28 waste exemption: sort and denature controlled drugs for disposal – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
If you have any questions in regard to the destruction of controlled drugs, please contact the team via england.cumbrianortheast-cds@nhs.net. For any CD Reporting Tool technical issues please contact the Helpdesk via england.cdreportingtechnicalhelpdesk@nhs.net.
Please note – if you currently have requested a CD destruction you will not have to reapply as this will already be in process.
