Megan Middleton Legislation Unit 41 P3
P3- Explain the relevant sections of key legislation and associated guidelines with regards to the
administration of medication.
Medicines act 1969
The Medicines Act 1968 is an Act of Parliament of the United Kingdom. It administrates the control
of medicines for human use and for veterinary use, it includes the making and supplying of
medicines. This act was introduced to make sure that doctors and pharmacists are responsible for
supplying medications, and certain medications can only be handed out with a prescription. This
comes under the medicines act controls which are;
GSM- General sales medication (such as weak pain killers)
POM- Prescription only medication (antidepressants etc.)
P- Pharmacy medicines (emergency contraception)
Misuse of Drugs Act 1971
This act controls medicines that can cause harm if they are taken, these are known as controlled
drugs. It is an offence to have
a controlled drug illegally
have intent to supply
supply the drug even if it is free of charge
allowing the premises to make or hold the drugs
There are three classes of controlled substances, these are;
A (heroin, cocaine etc)
B (codeine, cannabis etc)
C (ketamine, anabolic steroids etc)
Mental Capacity Act 2005
An individual has the right to decide for themselves what treatment/medicine they do and do not
take, it must be proved in law if it believed that the individual is incapable of deciding for
themselves. However, just because someone makes an unwise choice it does not mean that they
lack capacity, this may happen if someone chooses not to have treatment that can prolong life but
has bas side effects. If the individual is proven to lack capacity, then any choices made for the
individual must be in their best interests. A decision may be made be a multi-agency team and the
patients family if the individual has been given a drug that sedates them but gives them a poor
quality of life.
Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
The health and safety at work act is an act of parliament which makes sure that everyone is safe and
can work in an environment where risk is reduced. The act covers things such as;
Correct training for all staff to enforce health and safety
Ensure that the exit and entrances are safe
Train them on how to use, handle and store dangerous substances
Satisfactory welfare provisions for all staff at work
Medicines must be stored at the correct temperature to make sure that it is preserved correctly.
Substances must also be locked away to prevent them falling into the wrong hands.
P3- Explain the relevant sections of key legislation and associated guidelines with regards to the
administration of medication.
Medicines act 1969
The Medicines Act 1968 is an Act of Parliament of the United Kingdom. It administrates the control
of medicines for human use and for veterinary use, it includes the making and supplying of
medicines. This act was introduced to make sure that doctors and pharmacists are responsible for
supplying medications, and certain medications can only be handed out with a prescription. This
comes under the medicines act controls which are;
GSM- General sales medication (such as weak pain killers)
POM- Prescription only medication (antidepressants etc.)
P- Pharmacy medicines (emergency contraception)
Misuse of Drugs Act 1971
This act controls medicines that can cause harm if they are taken, these are known as controlled
drugs. It is an offence to have
a controlled drug illegally
have intent to supply
supply the drug even if it is free of charge
allowing the premises to make or hold the drugs
There are three classes of controlled substances, these are;
A (heroin, cocaine etc)
B (codeine, cannabis etc)
C (ketamine, anabolic steroids etc)
Mental Capacity Act 2005
An individual has the right to decide for themselves what treatment/medicine they do and do not
take, it must be proved in law if it believed that the individual is incapable of deciding for
themselves. However, just because someone makes an unwise choice it does not mean that they
lack capacity, this may happen if someone chooses not to have treatment that can prolong life but
has bas side effects. If the individual is proven to lack capacity, then any choices made for the
individual must be in their best interests. A decision may be made be a multi-agency team and the
patients family if the individual has been given a drug that sedates them but gives them a poor
quality of life.
Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
The health and safety at work act is an act of parliament which makes sure that everyone is safe and
can work in an environment where risk is reduced. The act covers things such as;
Correct training for all staff to enforce health and safety
Ensure that the exit and entrances are safe
Train them on how to use, handle and store dangerous substances
Satisfactory welfare provisions for all staff at work
Medicines must be stored at the correct temperature to make sure that it is preserved correctly.
Substances must also be locked away to prevent them falling into the wrong hands.
