Appendix 2

Minimum requirements

Staff guidance and procedures for over the counter products for general use

Homes which offer over the counter products for general use must develop in conjunction with a doctor or pharmacist written controls and guidance for staff. These must include as a minimum:

•  which problems (for example headache, cough, insect bite) may be treated with over the counter products 
• a list of medicines / products that may be administered and what they are for
• possible contraindications with certain prescribed medicines
• the dose and frequency
• the maximum daily dose
• how long the medicine / product should be used before seeking medical advice from the person’s GP or pharmacist
• what monitoring is required. For example, is the GP informed if the person frequently asks for indigestion remedies? 
• recording requirements (must be recorded on the MAR)
• stock monitoring to ensure that medicines / products remain within expiry dates and ordering requirements
• the names of staff authorised to administer over the counter medicines/treatments

Stocks of over the counter products for general use in the home / centre must be:

• stored in the original packaging. Information supplied with the product by the manufacturer must be retained
• marked with the date of opening
• administered only:
  • as authorised by consent or a best interest decision
  • from the original packaging as purchased
  • in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and the home or day centre’s procedures