How should medicines be stored and recorded in care homes?

Storage – The essentials 

• Follow manufacturers’ instructions and your medicines policy. CQC says medicines must be stored so they remain safe and effective; storage can be central or in residents’ rooms, with secure access controls.  

• Temperatures. Fridges for medicines: 2–8 °C; ambient stores: typically ≤25 °C. Record temperatures routinely (at least daily) and act if out of range (e.g., quarantine and seek pharmacy advice). NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service explains why temperature control matters for potency and safety.  

• Security & keys. Keep medicines in lockable cupboards/rooms with controlled key access. (For design/secure storage principles, see NHS HBN 14-02.)  

• Controlled Drugs (CDs). Store Schedule 2 & most Schedule 3 CDs in a CD cupboard with CD register entries; Schedules 4–5 do not require a CD cupboard but must still be stored securely with clear records.  

• Self-administration. Risk-assess and provide appropriate lockable storage when residents self-administer. 

• Stock control. Date liquids/eye drops on opening; monitor expiry; separate external/internal meds; keep returns awaiting collection in a secure, labelled place (follow local pharmacy process).  

Recording – MAR and audit trail 

• Use a MAR (Medication Administration Record) for every person receiving medicines support. CQC requires secure, accurate, up-to-date records.  

• Before administering, check the right person, medicine, dose, route, time and record immediately after (or record refusal/omission with the reason and action taken). CQC highlights MAR accuracy as core to safe care.  

• PRN (“as required”): have clear PRN directions and maximum doses on MAR/care plan; document why given and effect. 

• Transcribing & secondary dispensing. Avoid rewriting labels or pre-potting from original packs unless your policy allows and the process is risk-assessed with pharmacy input.  

• Controlled Drugs records. Keep an accurate CD register (running balance, receipts, administrations, destructions) in line with law and guidance; keep separate MAR entries as usual.  

If storage goes out of range or records contain errors 

• Quarantine affected stock, seek pharmacist advice, and document decisions. 

• For MAR errors/omissions: report, rectify, and learn (linking to Reg 12 on preventing avoidable harm).  

Key links 

• NICE SC1: Managing medicines in care homes. nice.org.uk 

• CQC: Storing medicines in care homes; Medicines administration records. cqc.org.uk 

• NHS SPS: Temperature management for medicines (why it matters). SPS – Specialist Pharmacy Service 

• CQC: Controlled drugs in care homes (schedules & records). cqc.org.uk 

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