Detention: Medicines Management in Custodial Settings

What is medicines management? In the broadest sense it is the clinical, cost-effective, and safe use of medicines to ensure patients get the maximum benefit from the medicines they need, while at the same time minimizing potential harm which covers all elements of the medicines pathway from acquisition and storage through to prescribing, supply and administration. Medicines management within secure settings requires consideration of the same risks and processes as in other environments along with attention to additional security factors, differing legislative requirements, and specific clinical or demographic needs of the client group. Medicines management is discussed predominantly using examples within the current legal framework in the United Kingdom.