76Storage in pharmacies

76 Storage in pharmacies

76 Storage in pharmacies

(1) The pharmacist for the time being in charge of a pharmacy must keep any drug of addiction stored apart from other substances or goods (other than cash or documents) in a separate safe.

(2) Unless otherwise approved for the time being by the Secretary, such a safe must comply with the following requirements—

(a) it must be made of black mild steel plate at least 9 millimetres thick with continuous welding along all edges,

(b) it must be fitted with a door made of mild steel plate at least 9 millimetres thick, the door being flush fitting with a clearance around the door of not more than 1.5 millimetres,

(c) it must have a fixed locking bar, welded to the inside face of the door near the hinged edge, that engages in a rebate in the safe body when the door is closed,

(d) it must be fitted with a five lever key lock (or a locking mechanism providing at least equivalent security) securely fixed to the rear face of the door,

(e) if mounted on a brick or concrete wall or floor, it must be attached to the wall or floor by means of suitably sized expanding bolts through holes 9 millimetres in diameter drilled in the rear or bottom of the safe,

(f) if mounted on a timber framed wall or floor, it must be attached to the wall or floor frame by means of suitably sized coach screws through holes 9 millimetres in diameter drilled in the rear or bottom of the safe,

(g) if mounted on any other kind of wall or floor, it must be attached to the wall or floor in a manner approved for the time being by the Secretary.

(3) The pharmacist must ensure that—

(a) the safe is kept securely locked when not in immediate use, and

(b) any key or other device by means of which the safe may be unlocked—

(i) is kept on the person of a pharmacist whenever it is on the same premises as the safe, and is removed from the premises whenever there is no pharmacist at those premises, or

(ii) is kept in a separately locked safe to which only a pharmacist has access, and

(c) any code or combination that is required to unlock the safe is not divulged to any unauthorised person.