Controlled drugs stolen from Sunderland pharmacy

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A pharmacy was broken into in Sunderland earlier this week where a supply of controlled drugs were stolen.  An article regarding the robbery is available here.

The drugs stolen included

  • 1,000 MST Continus, 900 Zomorph
  • 560 codeine tablets
  • 30 boxes of pregablin
  • 500 fentanyl patches
  • 800 methylphenidate tablets
  • 104 OxyContin tablets, 300 Longtec tablets
  • 4,800ml methadone solution

Advice:

It is therefore advisable that all pharmacy staff remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity that could be considered preparatory acts by criminals targeting pharmacies to the police.

It is strongly recommended that CD cabinet keys are not ‘secreted’ on the pharmacy premises. These should be either removed from the premises overnight or locked away securely in order to prevent them being used to gain access to CD cabinets.

Where CCTV is installed, check that the system is in working order and images are of sufficient quality to be used in any investigation.

Keep CD stock to a minimum and dispose of patient returned CD’s as soon as possible. Out of date stock CD’s should be destroyed  appropriately in the presence of an authorised witness. Where there is no company authorised witness please contact the Medicines Optimisation Team who will arrange authorised witnessed destruction.

For further advice please contact:

Northumberland, Tyne and Wear – Emma Post 0191 2172983

Durham, Darlington and Tees – Victoria Bennet 01641 745429

Cumbria – Phil Utting, 01228 603050

CDLO all areas – Ken Dale, 07919071655

Email for all contacts is england.cumbrianortheast-cds@nhs.net