Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what support is being provided to NHS organisations to improve safety measures for staff involved in the (a) preparation or (b) administration of higher-risk medicines.

All medicines, including higher-risk ones, are potentially hazardous and should be handled with care during preparation to avoid unnecessary exposure. National Health Service providers are required to follow health and safety legislation and COSHH regulations at all stages.

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s guidance, Professional guidance in the safe and secure handling of medicine, includes specific recommendations for the safe preparation of higher-risk medicines. NHS providers are expected to adhere to these standards as part of their statutory and professional obligations under the NHS Standard Contract.

The Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) Medicines Optimisation Quality Statement, along with statements on Safe Environments and Safe and Effective Staffing, also set out requirements for appropriate training, equipment, and policies to ensure staff safety during preparation.

The same principles of safety and regulatory compliance apply during the administration of higher-risk medicines. Staff must follow established protocols to minimise risk and ensure safe handling.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is responsible for ensuring the safety of medicines and medical devices. When a safety issue is identified, the MHRA communicates with healthcare professionals and stakeholders through channels such as the GOV.UK website, direct emails, and safety alerts, using different methods depending on urgency and impact.

The MHRA’s three-year Strategy for Improving Communications aims to deliver more coordinated, targeted, and effective safety communications to healthcare professionals and patients, supporting safe administration practices.

The CQC’s quality statements also require providers to have appropriate policies and procedures in place to support both patient and staff safety during the administration of medicines.