Source · Select Committees · Justice Committee
Recommendation 168
168
Deferred
Implement new secure systems for distributing and administering prison medication to prevent diversion.
Conclusion
HMPPS should conduct an urgent review of all prescription medication dispensing procedures within prisons to identify and close loopholes exploited for diversion and introduce enhanced supervision of medication queries. New secure systems for distributing and administering medication must be implemented immediately to prevent diversion and protect vulnerable prisoners. (Recommendation, Paragraph 39) Drivers of the demand and impact of drugs in prison
Government response summary AI-generated
The government's response focuses on staff training for emergency medical responses, including First Aid and Naloxone use, and general drug awareness resources. It does not address the recommendation to review medication dispensing procedures, close loopholes, or implement new secure distribution systems to prevent diversion.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government · verbatim extract
Deferred
We acknowledge the significant risk posed by the diversion and misuse of prescription medication within prisons. To prevent this, guidance on supervising medicine queues is already included in Prison Officer Guides, and harm reduction advice is provided to prisoners to mitigate the impact of the illicit use of prescription medication. HMPPS is working in partnership with NHSE on reducing diversion from medicine queues. Work will begin in 2026 on improved guidance on supervising medication queues to reduce the risk of diversion at the dispensing hatch, and facilitating improved adherence checks completed in partnership with healthcare staff and prison officers. Following this, we will review progress and consider whether further action is required, and whether the specific elements of the Committee’s recommendation on a new system and enhanced queue supervision are necessary and proportionate. More widely, we remain committed to enhancing regulation and strengthening controls over prescription medicines to prevent demand. HMPPS recently responded to a call for evidence from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) review of the misuse and associated harms of gabapentin and pregabalin as common medicines. The ACMD will advise on the most effective measures to reduce these risks and assess whether their current Class C classification under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 has fulfilled its intended purpose. Chapter 3: Drivers of the demand and impact of drugs in prison
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