re-using old meds?

[undertaker2]

i am finding it really hard to keep quiet about this so asking others what they think but where i work returned drugs and expired date drugs are used for mds trays and i know i should not be doing it but if i leave and go for another job do all pharmacists talk to each other? just worry wont get reference from employer. any advice anyone?

[bleepholder]

thats a tad worrying that you're using expired drugs for MDS trays.....if you know not to do it, then why do it?

can't really give you any advice other than don't do it!!

i was always told if drugs had left the pharmacy and then returned, you're not meant to re-use them, as you can't guarantee they haven't been tampered with....

[undertaker2]

i know that but when you are a single parent with kids its hard to leave job!!

[bleepholder]

cos that will stand up in front of a coroner! maybe its time to look for another job??

[Frutella]

But you put yourself at risk too, let alone the patients.
Just think you are dispensing all these drugs for your kids or your mom,still want to do it?
I am sure there are plenty of jobs around where you wouldn't need to do anything like this.

[johnep]

I worked in a pharmacy where one of the storerooms full of unused MDS trays returned from the nursing homes. Perhaps inspectors should check every room in a pharmacy. At one large manufacturing unit, the inspector opened a cupboard and found lots of rubbish, part processed meds etc.
The production manager left shortly afterwards, and the inspector took over and became production director.
johnep

[dizzyb23]

This is such a bad thing....I understand that it's a big problem getting jobs etc but whoever is directing you to do this needs to read their SOP's and put a stop to it. And you should dispose of all returned/out of date stock in the normal way. I was in a very difficult position a couple of years back with a rogue pharmacist who insisted we open the branch and trade without his presence each morning. I told him this wasn't going to happen and i'd call head office to double check things with them too!! Yes, this made the next two weeks working together unbearable but it was the right thing to do. I'm still working at the same branch, he has ceased calling himself a pharmacist.....Sometimes you just have to stand up and be counted.

[Defblade]

I'd report this to the Inspector (name & number will be on the RPSGB website), if you're certain you won't get a result from within the company. They may be able to "notice" this in the course of a "routine" inspection...

[tinx25388]

i know that but when you are a single parent with kids its hard to leave job!!

Just be stubborn and refuse to do it. They can't sack you for it, otherwise they will be in trouble for reusing meds in the first place. If I found out that my Nan's Pharmacy was doing that, I would be absolutely disgusted. You dont want to be part of it.

[krisi]

Its hard but I agree with the above - You just got to think how you'd feel if it were you or one of your close relatives. If you are really concerned I am sure you can submit a complaint/ your worries anonamously and work things out that way