Guidance on storage of controlled drugs in Vietnam

According to Circular No. 20/2017/TT-BYT of the Ministry of Health of Vietnam, health facilities, rehabilitation centers, pharmacy research or training institutions, organizations having non-commercial pharmacy-related activities shall comply with Good Storage Practice standards. To be specific:

- Narcotic drugs, psychotropic drugs, precursor drugs, medicinal ingredients that are narcotic active ingredients, psychotropic active ingredients, drug precursors must be stored in separated and locked warehouses or cabinets. If separate warehouses or cabinets are not available, narcotic drugs may be stored in the same cabinet as psychotropic drugs and precursor drugs but they must be marked and separated from each other; Psychotropic drugs of a local medical station must be stored in locked cabinet and monitored by a specific person;

- Combined drugs that contain narcotic active ingredients, psychotropic active ingredients or precursors must be stored in a separate area;

- Radiopharmaceuticals must be stored in a locked warehouse or cabinet which ensures radiation safety, prevention of environmental radiation exposure in accordance with atomic energy laws;

- Toxic drugs and toxic medicinal ingredients must be stored in a separate area and arranged to avoid confusion;

- Narcotic drugs, psychotropic drugs, precursor drugs in the emergency drug cabinet must be placed in a separate slot and dispensed by the nurse on watch according to prescriptions. The emergency drug cabinet must be safely locked; The quantities and categories of controlled drugs therein shall be specified in writing by the head of the facility. When changing shift, the person working the previous shift must inform the person working the next shift of the quantities of drugs and the drug logbook, which has to bear their signatures.

View details at Circular No. 20/2017/TT-BYT of the Ministry of Health of Vietnam, effective from July 01, 2017.

-Thao Uyen-

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