Skip to content

Storing medication

In this section

  1. 1
    Introduction
  2. 2
    About this policy
  3. 3
    Who this policy applies to
  4. 4
    Royal Pharmaceutical Society principles
  5. 5
    Person Centred Care and Mental Capacity
  6. 6
    Duty of care in GSL arrangements
  7. 7
    Carer training, competency and general conditions which apply to medication administration in GSL arrangements
  8. 8
    Medications that trained and competent carers may administer
  9. 9
    Ensuring that people have an adequate supply of medication
  10. 10
    Storing medication
  11. 11
    Administering medication
  12. 12
    Medication records
  13. 13
    Disposing of medication
  14. 14
    Continuity of care when someone is on a short visit away from home or moves between carers
  1. 15
    Side effects / adverse reactions
  2. 16
    Medication errors
  3. 17
    Monitoring medication support arrangements / quality assurance
  4. 18
    Concerns and complaints
  5. 19
    Emergency preparedness
  6. 20
    Implementation
  7. 21
    Review
  8. 22
    Policy Details
  9. 23
    Appendix 1 - Definitions
  10. 24
    Appendix 2 - What must be recorded on the MAR
  11. 25
    Appendix 3 - Staff guidance and procedures for over the counter products for general use
  12. 26
    Appendix 4 -As Required “PRN” Medication Guidance
  13. 27
    Appendix 5 - PRN Medication Administration Record (MAR) - In conjunction with PRN protocol Gloucestershire Shared Lives

10.1

To support independence, where a person in a shared lives placement is able to, and in accordance with their medication profile and risk assessment, the person is responsible for their own medication storage and ensuring that medication is accessible as per para 10.3. 
10.2

Carers will take responsibility for storing prescribed and non-prescribed medications for all other members of the household, and supporting individuals to store their medication appropriately.  
10.3

Medications are safely stored when they are:

  • in their original labelled packaging in a lockable container (s) so that other adults and children in the household cannot take them either by accident or on purpose. If medications need to be kept cool, they will be kept in a locked and clearly marked container on the top shelf of the refrigerator
  • Placed somewhere they will not be damaged by heat, light, dampness or other factors 
  • Carried as above when people are on outings in the community 
Last reviewed:
Previous Ensuring that people have an adequate supply of medication Next Administering medication