2. Things to know
Class is from
Breaks
Restrooms
Smoking
Vending machines
Parking lot
Food and drink
Cell phones
Questions
If you need to step out
3. Foreword
January 13, 1975
Non-parenteral medications by unlicensed personnel
Approved by
Iowa Board of Nursing
Iowa Department of Health
Iowa Board of Pharmacy Examiners
4. Cont.
June, 1978
Iowa Legislature gave the Iowa Board of Pharmacy
Examiners the right to determine who can
administer medications other than physicians,
podiatrists, and dentists
Persons who have successfully completed a medication
administration course approved by the Iowa Department of
Health and the Iowa Board of Pharmacy Examiners
Advanced emergency medical technicians and paramedics
Registered physician assistants
5. Purpose of this course
The purpose of the course is to prepare people to
safely administer nonparenteral medications in
nursing facilities and related areas
You need to pay attention, take notes, and study to
successful reach competencies in all skills and
knowledge required
6. Quote to remember
In the administration of medications there is no
place for luck. Therefore, we wish each of you success
in achieving your goals.
• UNIVERSITY OF IOWA CERTIFICATION CENTER, 2011
7. Introduction
Wellness is a predominate factor in health care.
Medications influence consumer at all ages in
different ways.
Safety in drug preparation, administration,
documentation and follow-up is essential.
As a medication aide, learning the principles and procedure of
safe medication administration will help you to do your part to
ensure resident safety in the area of medications.
8. Course overview
This is a 50-60 hour course which consists of 40-42
classroom hours and 10-20 clinical hours
A minimum of 10 hours clinical.
This will be in your individual facilities under the supervision
of a RN Both you & the RN will need to sign off on the
individual skill sheets in your workbook starting on p 109.
The emphasis is on the safe administration and
students are provided theory and practice to achieve
course competencies.
9. Course pre-requisites
Substance free and currently working in a facility
If employed in a certified nursing facility
All applicants must be employed for at least six months by the facility
sponsor
Must be on the nurse aide registry
Provide recommendation from the administrator in the facility in
which they are employed
If employed in a residential or related type of licensed
facility
All applicants must be employed for at least six months by facility
sponsor
Must provide evidence of successful completion of residential
attendant course
Provide recommendation from the administrator in the facility in
which they are employed
10. Cont….
.
If applicants are working in more than one type of
facility, it is recommended that the higher
requirements be met to allow applicant to legally
work in multiple assignment areas.
11. continue
Medication aide from other states
Written documentation of current certification of medication
aide in other state
Successfully complete nurse aide written and skills
competency test prior to challenging written exam
Successfully complete medication aide challenge exam (both
written and skill competency exams)
12. Why take the course?
• These courses provide background information that will assist
the applicant in successfully completing the Medication Aide
course.
13. Requirements for class
Course Instructor:
The course instructor must be an RN for both didactic and clinical
Course methodology:
Classroom, laboratory, and clinical activities
Required textbook Mosby’s Textbook for Medication Assistants
Course evaluation:
You must pass the course with 80%. Successful completion of clinical
hours with written documentation from the RN supervising you
Successful completion:
Both portions of the course; classroom and clinical, must be
completed with 6 months of the beginning of the course. Upon
successfully completing course a certificate will be mailed to you
from the college.
14. Medication Aide Competencies
Describe the role and responsibilities of the
medication aide
Discuss general information related to the
administration of nonparenteral medications and
explain how this information assists the medication
aide in safely administrating nonparenteral
medications
Administer nonparenteral medications
Utilize information regarding medication
classifications when administrating medications
15. Requirements for Class
2 vocabulary tests (20 pts each)
3 tests (100 pts. each) There is an optional 4th test
that can be completed if necessary
Final state exam this will be completed after
completing your 10 hrs. of clinical
Clinical hours (at your facility)
Can be started after the 3rd day if you have passed your 1st tests
Completion of 20 med cards
16. Medication Cards (20 on 4x6 note cards)
Name: Brand & Generic
Dose
Side effects
Nsg. Precautions
Classification as to family
What is to do?
Anything unusual about the medication
Place to find information:
Discovery.com
Health.msm.com
Drugs.com
Drug hand books
These can be started on day 4 based on meds from your facility 4-5
from each chapter beginning with chapter 10
17. Unit I
This unit will examine the role of the medication
aide, what the medication aide will be prepared to
do, and what the medication aide is not prepared to
do. The legislation regarding administration of
medications will be discussed. Safety in
administering medication is also included.
18. Introduction
The guidelines to ensure the safety of consumers
who receive medications are shared by both the
federal and state governments. Federal and state
laws identify safe practices for the preparation,
issuance, and administration of drugs. Federal and
state agencies are required to see that these laws are
enforced. The purpose of the legislation and the
agency enforcement is to protect the consumer as
well as the health care worker who assists in the
preparation, dispensing, and administration of
drugs.
19. Cont….
The laws and rules for implementing the laws provide for
safe standards of care. This requires that credentialing of
the various levels of health workers who order, dispense,
and administer medications. The credentialing assures
that each health worker has been educationally prepared
to assume responsibility within the assigned role. Each
person who orders, dispenses, or administers medication
IS RESPONSIBLE for his/her own actions. This
responsibility requires the health care worker to be aware
of the medical-legal problems that could arise when
medications are administered to consumers.
The nurse you work under is responsible and so are you
personally
20. Where do medication aides work?
Nursing facilities
Residential care facilities
Residential facilities for mentally retarded
Residential facilities for the mentally ill
Intermediate facilities for MR and mentally ill
Assisted living
NOT hospitals!
21. Role of the medication aide
Very important role in health care!
Always use sound judgment, be honest, have moral
integrity, use common sense, be accurate, and
develop good observational skills.
Should be able to determine when to refer to the
licensed professional.
22. Terms
Nursing assistant personnel
CNA
CMA
Nurse practice act
Regulates the nursing practice in each state
Allows denying, revoking, and suspending licenses and
certifications
Main purpose is to protect the puplic’s safety &
welfare
23. Terms
Patient
Client
Resident
Consumer
All of these people are seeking a service that we as health care
providers, provide.
24. Regulatory Agencies
State Board of Nursing
Department of Inspections and Appeals
Department of Human Services
Make sure standards of care are met
Refers to the skills, care, and judgment required by nursing
assistive personnel under similar conditions.
25. Professional Boundaries
Separates helpful behaviors from behaviors that are not helpful
Boundary crossing
Brief act or behavior outside the helpful zone (something thoughtless
you didn’t mean to do)
Boundary Violation
Acts or behaviors that meet your own needs (abuse, too much self-
disclosure)
Professional sexual misconduct
Act, behavior, or comment sexual in nature
Boundary signs
Acts, behaviors, or thoughts that warm boundary crossing (accepting
gifts from residents)
26. Responsibilities
To yourself
To legally and ethically protect themselves the aide must have
knowledge which includes basic preparation through class and
continued study of new methods for the administration of
medications. Don’t stop learning!
Must know your limits. What you can and can’t do
Knowledge of resident’s rights
Right to know
Right to refuse
Dignity and privacy
Right to self administration
A right to a competent, caring medication aide
27. The organization
You owe loyalty to the organization for which you
work.
You are responsible for knowing and following your
facility policies.
Know and respect the roles of others
Work as a team
I teach you the basic, but you need to learn your
facility policy and protocols.
This does take time
28. Job description
Give only medicines from written orders of the
prescriber. You need an order for everything- even
chap stick!
Work within your scope of practice
29. Know or look up
Intended use/why is this consumer receiving this
medication
When is this medication expected to work
Side effects which might occur
Interactions with other medications, food, alcohol,
herbals
Special administration and storage considerations
Is this a controlled substance: if so, which schedule is
it in?
30. 6 rights
Right person
Right drug
Right time
Right route
Right dose
Right documentation
31. special physical conditions
Know if consumer is allergic to certain medications,
ability to swallow and how this might affect how
medication is administrated
“As needed drugs” determined by nurse
Safe medication to prevent complications- prevent
errors
Report signs and symptoms, side effects, and adverse
reactions to the nurse
Give as needed drugs as specified by nurse
Prevent drug errors
32. What to report to the nurse
Life threatening signs/symptoms
Life threatening events
Drugs that have no results as observed or reported to
you
Drugs that have undesirable effects as observed or
reported to you
33. Measure, report, record measurements as related
to ordered drugs
Vital signs
Weight/height
Intake/output
Blood glucose
34. Cont.
Record drugs given following agency procedure and
policy
Follow agency policy/procedure for reporting and
recording drug errors or suspected drug errors
35. Follow administration rules
Right dose
Right medication
Right consumer
Right time
Right method
Record
Know the 6 rights!!!!!
36. limitations
Do not give drugs, unless allowed by state law, if:
Person’s need for drug must be assessed by licensed nurse
Drug requires dosage calculation
Dosage of drug must be converted from one measurement
system to another
Nurse not available to monitor person’s progress
Nurse not available to monitor how drug affects person
Person is not stable
Person’s nursing needs are changing
37. Medication Aides CANNOT do
Parenteral medications
Take medication order
Transcribe order
Calculate dosage
Return medication to container or dispose of
medications
PRN medications
Enteral medications
Wound care
Oxygen, nebulizers
Enemas
38. Cont.
Glucose monitoring(unless trained by a RN,
according to the manufacture’s instructions-
completes a return demo-must be repeated every 6
mo, keep a copy for you & in your personnel file)
Preparations of meds for outings
Re-label medication containers or transfer
medication from one container to another
Distribute medication someone else has set up or
take medications from an unmarked or soiled
container
39. Delegation
Nurse legally accountable for nursing task; delegates
administration of medications to medication aide
Nurse provides clear/complete directions
Must be within the scope of practice and training of a
medication aide
Assesses person’s need for drug
Determines need for PRN drugs
Assesses and evaluates side effects
Recognizes allergic reactions
Assesses/evaluates immediate desired effects
Assesses/evaluates unusual effects
40. Cont.
Recognizes when drug use is harmful
Recognizes when drug is no longer needed
Anticipates effects which affects the person’s life or
well-being
Make judgment/decision of action to take if person’s
life/wellbeing is threatened
41. Four steps to delegation
Assess and plan
Communication- clear, complete direction
Surveillance and Supervision
Evaluation and Feedback
42. Five Rights of Delegation
The right task
The right circumstance
The right person
The right directions and communication
The right supervision
43. Your choice
Accepting the task
When you agree to perform a task, you are responsible for your
own actions.
Refusing the task
you have the right to say “no”
Tell the nurse about your concerns
44. Ethical conduct
Knowledge of right and wrong
Be nonjudgmental and nonbiased
Do not cause person harm
Based on person’s values/standards
Code of conduct
Residents rights
46. Duty to self
Knowledgeable
Medication information
Medication preparation
Medication administration
Recording/reporting
Facility policies
Legal responsibilities
Know limitations
Drug free
47. Advance directives
Living will
Document about measures that support or maintain life when
death is likely (tube feedings, CPR)
Durable power of attorney for health care
Gives power to another person to make health care decisions
in the even you can no longer do this.
Do not resuscitate (no code)
48. Federal legislation related to medication
use/administration
Drug legislation
Pure Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act of 1938
Determine safety/effectiveness of drugs
Ensure manufactures meet labeling requirements
Ensure advertising standards met
Legal classifications of drugs
Over the counter drugs
Prescription drugs
Controlled substances
49. Comprehensive Drug Abuse Preventions and
Control Act of 1970
Drug classification
Schedule 1 drugs (Experimental, high potential for abuse)
Schedule 2 (accepted medical use, still high potential for
abuse)
Schedule 3 (high potential for abuse, moderate to low physical
dependence, high psychological dependence)
Schedule 4 (low potential for abuse)
Schedule 5 (prescription not needed)
50. Torts and Crimes
Civil laws
Concerned with relationships between people.
Criminal laws
Concerned with offenses against the public and society in
general
Torts
A wrong committed against a person or the person’s property
Negligence
Unintended wrong
Malpractice
Negligence by a professional person
51. Intentional Torts
Defamation
Injuring a person’s name and reputation by making false statements to a third
person.
Libel
Making false statements in print, writing, or through pictures or drawings
Slander
Making a false statement orally
False imprisonment
Unlawful restraint or restriction of a person’s freedom of movement
Invasion of privacy
Violating a person’s right not to have his or her name, photo, or private affairs
exposed or made public without giving consent
Protected health information
HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act 1996)
Fraud
Saying of doing something to trick, fool, or deceive a person
52. Assault & Battery
Assault
Intentionally attempting or threatening to touch a person’s
body without the person’s consent
Battery
Touching a person’s body without his or her consent.
53. Possession of a controlled substance
Federal and state laws make the possession of
controlled substances a crime.
Can have a controlled substance in your possession
if:
Administering the medication to a person while on a outing
The person is receiving the medication themselves
The official custodian of a limited supply of a controlled
substance
54. Abuse
Is the intentional mistreatment or harm of another
person
Abuse has one or more of these elements
Willful causing of injury
Unreasonable confinement
Intimidation (to make afraid with threats, force, or violence)
Punishment
Depriving the person of the goods or services needed for
physical, mental, or psychological well-being
55. Vulnerable adults
Are persons 18 years or older who have disabilities or
conditions that make them at risk to be wounded,
attacked, or damaged.
Mental, emotional, physical, or developmental disability
Brain damage
Changes from aging
57. Child Abuse and Neglect
Involve the following
Child 18 years or younger
Recent act or failure to act on the part of a parent or caregiver
The act or failure to act results in death, serious physical or
emotional harm, sexual abuse, or exploitation
The act or failure to act presents a likely or immediate risk for
harm
58. Types of child abuse
Physical abuse
Neglect
Sexual abuse
Molestation
Rape or sexual assault
Child pornography
Incest
Child prostitution
Emotional abuse
Substance abuse
Abandonment
60. Nursing process
Assessment
Observation (see, listen, touch, smell)
Objective data (signs seen, heard, smelled)
Subjective data (symptoms resident tells you)
Nursing diagnosis
P. 31 box 4-3
Planning
Nursing interventions
Nursing care plan
Implementation
Evaluation
61. Observations to report immediately
Change in the ability to respond
Change in mobility
Complaints of sudden, severe pain
Sore or reddened area on skin
Complaint of sudden vision change
Complaint of pain/difficulty breathing
Abnormal respirations
Complaint of signs of difficulty swallowing
Vomiting
Bleeding
Vital signs outside normal ranges
62. Processing of measuring vital signs & etc..
Accurate measurements
Temperature
Pulse
Respirations
Blood pressure
Pain
Height & Weight
Blood glucose testing
63. How to accurately report
Report care and observations
Resident’s name, room #
Time observation made, care given
Report as resident’s condition changes
Report changes from normal at once
Record
What you observed
What you did
The resident’s response
Complete medication record (drugs given, time)
64. Rules for recording
Write in ink and writing readable, neat
Include date, time of each entry
Use only approved abbreviations
Use correct spelling, grammar, punctuation
Don’t use ditto marks
Never erase or use correction fluid (white out)
Sign all entries with name, title
Do not skip lines
Make sure form has resident’s name and identification
Record only what observe and did
65. Cont…
Do not record for someone else
Don’t chart until procedure, treatment, or care is
complete
Be accurate, concise, factual
Be descriptive
Use person’s exact words
Chart changes from normal
Do not omit information
Record safety measure used
66. Cont….
The person in control of the key to medication
cabinet is determined by each facility. The key is to
be carried by the person directly responsible for the
administration of drugs. If you are the responsible
person, KEEP IT WITH YOU AT ALL TIMES!!!!
Medication storage and handling:
Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals developed the
Rules and Regulations regarding drugs, storage and handling
in nursing facilities.
67. Basic structure of the cell
Cell
Cell membrane (covering)
Nucleus (control center)
Cytoplasm (surrounds the nucleus)
Protoplasm (living substance within the cell)
Chromosomes (carries genes, each cell has 46)
• Mitosis
Tissue growth and repair (cell division)
Tissue (groups of cells) role
Epithelial (covers internal and external body surfaces)
Connective (anchors, connects, and supports other tissues)
Muscle (stretches and contracts to let body move)
Nerve tissue (receives and carries impulses to the brain and back to
body parts)
68. Organs
A group of tissue with the same function form. Has one or
more functions
Systems
Formed by organs that work together to perform special
functions.
69. Systems
Integumentary (skin)
Layers
Epidermis
Dermis
Subcutaneous tissue
Appendages
Hair
Nails
Sweat glands
Oil glands
Functions
Protective covering
Prevents microorganisms, other from enter body
Prevents loss of excess fluids from body
Helps regulate body temperature
Nerve endings sense pleasant, unpleasant stimulations
70. Systems cont.
Musculoskeletal
Bones
Long bones (bear body weight)
Short bones (allow skill and easy movement)
Flat bones (protect organs)
Irregular bones (vertebrae and spinal column)
Joints
Cartilage
Synovial fluid
Synovial membrane
Ligaments
Ball and socket joint
Hinge joint
Pivot joint
71. Cont.
Muscles
Voluntary muscles
Involuntary muscles
Cardiac muscle
Move body parts, maintain posture, produce heat
Tendons connect muscle to bone
Function
Provide framework for body
Lets body move
Protects body
Gives body shape
72. Nervous system
Central nervous system
Brain
Spinal cord
meninges
Peripheral nervous system
Cranial nerves
Spinal nerves
Sympathetic nervous system
Parasympathetic nervous system
Function
Nerves carry messages to and from brain
Brain controls reasoning, speech, memory, consciousness, voluntary
muscles movement, vision, sensation, balance, vital functions,
involuntary processes
74. Circulatory System
Blood
Red blood cells (hemoglobin- picks up oxygen)
White blood cells (leukocytes- fights infection)
Platelets (thrombocytes- for blood clotting)
Plasma (carries substances the body needs)
Function
Carriers food, oxygen, etc… to cell
Remove waste products from cells
Helps regulate body temperature
Assists in preventing & fighting infection
75. Cont…
Heart
Layers (pericardium, myocardium, endocardium)
Chambers (right & left atrium, right & left ventricles)
Valves (tricuspid & mitral)
Phases (diastole & systole)
Function- pump blood to body
76. Cont…
Blood vessels
Arteries (carry blood away from the heart)
Veins (return blood to the heart)
Capillaries (tiny vessels where food oxygen exchanged for
waste products)
Function- system to move blood throughout body
77. Respiratory system
Respiration
Inhalation
exhalation
Upper airway
Nose
Pharynx
Larynx
epiglottis
Lower airway
Trachea
Lungs
Right & left bronchus
Bronchioles
alveoli
78. Cont…
Diaphragm
Ribs, sternum, vertebrae
function:- provide oxygen to body, remove carbon
dioxide
79. Digestive System
Gastro-intestinal or GI system or Alimentary Canal
Digestion- breakdown of food for use by cells
Mouth
Pharynx
Esophagus
Stomach
Small intestines (duodenum, jejunum, ileum)
Large intestine (colon)
rectum
84. Endocrine system
Endocrine glands
Pituitary (master gland)
GH, TSH, ACTH
ADH, and oxytocin
Thyroid gland (regulates metabolism)
Parathyroid glands (regulates calcium use)
Adrenal gland (produce energy quickly in emergency)
Pancreas (regulates amount of sugar in blood, produces
insulin)
Gonads (glands for reproduction)
85. Immune system
Protects body from disease & infection
Antibodies
Antigens
Phagocytes
Lymphocytes
B lymphocytes
T lymphocytes
Editor's Notes
Wellness:
In the United States, facilities are expanding to accommodate all levels of care and all age groups. With longer life expectancy and inventive new ways of saving life at birth and during illness, it is important to remember that the consumer will require and receive various health care treatment approaches, including medication.
Medications:
Basic reactions to medications are altered due to disease, drug interaction, nutrition, mental wellness, physical limitations, etc… Sensitivity and resistance to medications and treatments are increasing. Careful observation is necessary in order to promote quality of life and avoid potential life threatening situations.
Successful completion of the course will be determined by unit examinations, a state final written examination, demonstration of competency of the skills as documented by the skills check list, and successful completion of the clinical portion of the course, with the written documentation by the RN assigned to supervise the clinical at the worksite.
Recognize the role and responsibilities of the medication aide
Recognize legal classifications and control of medications
Review general safety measures as they relate to medication administration
Examine the role of health professionals in preparation, prescription, and administration of medications
Describe how drugs are supplied and where they are commonly stored
Give examples of drug resources
Examine reasons why drugs are given and give an example of a drug given for each reason
Interpret the assigned list of abbreviations and symbols related to drug administration
Discuss the three methods of measuring dosages
Define the assigned list of terms that are used to describe drug interactions
Describe the various methods for administering nonparenteral medications
Recognize methods and procedures of safely preparing nonparenteral medications
List the routes for administration of nonparenteral medications
Explain how prescriber determines route, dosage, and times of drug administration examine various nonparenteral drug preparations and explain how you would administer each
List the six rights of drug administration and explain how these six rights assist in safely administering drugs
Observe and/or discuss and list step by step procedure for preparing nonparenteral medications
Return the step by step demonstration in the laboratory
Recognize methods and procedures for safely administering and recording nonparenteral medications
Describe the procedure for safely giving drugs to residents
Explain methods of talking with residents about medications and importance of taking medications
Examine unusual things that can happen in giving the medications and explain what should be done
Identify methods and information necessary in charting and/or reporting drugs that have been given
Practice charting medications in the laboratory
Describe what must be done if an error is made in administer drugs
Recognize commonly ordered nonparenteral medications and classify these into drug families according to action, side effects, and nursing care precautions
Demonstrate the ability to safely administer nonparenteral drugs in the clinical setting.
Chapter 1, p. 4
Certification and Registry Requirements (each state has own requirements)
Must successfully complete a state-approved training program which includes classroom training, demonstration required skills, and clinical experience
Passing a competency evaluation-written test and skill test
Completing an application form
Paying required application fees
Submitting fingerprint information
REMEMBER: certification can be denied for any reason (refer to page 3 of textbook).
Chapter 1, p. 7
Administer medications under the supervision of licensed nurse (unless otherwise allowed by law)
Chapter 1, p. 2
Chapter 3, p.3
Chapter 1, p. 4
Chapter 1, p. 7
Chapter 2, p. 10
CMAs and CNAs cannot delegate tasks.
Chapter 2, p. 9-14
Chapter 2, p. 10-12
Chapter 2, p. 12
Chapter 2, p. 13
Chapter 3, p. 15-25
Chapter 3, p. 16 Box 3-1 code of conduct for nursing assistive personnel
Resident’s rights:
Right to refuse treatment
Right to information
Right to privacy/confidentiality
Right to person choice
Right to dispute/grievances
Right to work or not work
Right to participate in resident/family groups
Right to care, security of personal possessions
Right to freedom from abuse, mistreatment, neglect
Right to freedom from restraint
Right to quality of life
Chapter 3, p. 19
Chapter 3, p. 19
Prior to the turn of the century, there was little control of drug administration by the federal government. The early standards, as early as 1777 when he army gave drugs to the soldiers, were difficult to enforce. Frequently unscrupulous persons would adulterate the drugs for personal profit. An early pioneer for safe reliable drugs was Dr. E.R. Squibb. In 1887, Dr. Squibb founded a drug company for the purpose of providing the physician with safe drugs that could be considered reliable. Dr. Squibb also wrote what is thought to be the first food and drug act for new York, the first state to have a Pure Food and Drug Act. The first federal legislation that was enacted to deal with the drug problems was the Food and Drug Act of 1906. The purpose of the Act of 1906 was to prevent the manufacture and sale of adulterated, misbranded, poisonous, or harmful foods or drugs. The legislation did accomplish the following:
Defined eleven narcotics and required labeling of drugs that contained narcotics.
Prohibited the false claims of cure-alls
Provided for penalties if food or drugs were adulterated.
Gave official status to United States Pharmacopeia (USP) and National Formulary (NF) as drug standards
Gave the U.S. government authority to enforce official drug standards and to confiscate adulterated drugs or foods.
The year 1938 brought new and broader federal legislation. The Pure Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. Of 1938 grew out of tragedy. In 1937 a drug company produced a drug marketed as “elixir of sulfanilamide.” One hundred persons died after taking the drug. Tests found that the solvent had not been tested and was toxic. The only charge that could be legally brought against the company was one of mislabeling. The drug had been marketed as an elixir and was not a true elixir. This incident pointed to the need for more rigid and enforceable legislation.
The Pure Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act of 1938 had as its purpose the rigid control of the manufacture, sale and distribution of all nonnarcotic drugs. The law also had the power to require testing before any drug was marketed.
The food and Drug Administration was established as part of the Department of Health Education and Welfare. The Federal Drug Administration Agency was given the responsibility to enforce the law.
Important contents of the law:
Habit-forming drugs must be listed quantitatively on the label and must carry a warning that they are habit forming.
Certain drugs can only be obtained by prescription.
Warnings must appear on certain labels
Testing is required to determine drug safety (Have 15 years to test- once proven safe- other companies can replicate)
Nonprescription drugs must be classified
Labeling of drugs must include:
No false or misleading statements
Language easily understood
Dosage and frequency clearly stated- insuring safe consumption
Name and business address of manufacturer
Accurate statement of contents
Any warnings, directions or contraindications for children or persons with specific disease conditions
When unsafe for self medication, must state “Federal Law prohibits dispensing without a prescription”.
This law has been amended several times to tighten controls on testing and drug safety. Rules are developed by the Department of health and enforced by the Federal Drug Administration Agency.
The original legislation responsible for the control of narcotics was the Harrison Narcotic Act of 1914. This law regulated the importation, manufacture, sale, dispensing, and prescribing of opium, cocaine, and such narcotic derivatives.
The Marijuana Act of 1937 regulated the growth of hemp and the manufacture of hemp products.
The late 1960’s brought widespread drug abuse and forced Congress to reconsider the legislation that controlled narcotic drugs. Congress passed the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act in the fall of 1970. This law known as the Controlled Substance Act, repealed all other legislation that dealt with narcotics or abused substances.
The controlled substance laws were designed to improve the regulation, manufacture, distribution, and dispensing of drugs that are classified as either narcotics or dangerous.
The congress provided for an agency to enforce the new laws and that the agency is know as the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The DEA is part of the Department of Justice, and its director reports to the attorney general of the United States.
The DEA is constantly checking drugs, reporting to the attorney general.
Scheduled drugs need to be counted every 8 hours by 2 licensed professional. The medications must be kept under double lock and key.
The first step in formulation of this legislation was to determine which drugs were to be controlled. It was determined that narcotics and drugs that were considered dangerous were the ones to be controlled. By dangerous it is meant that the drug had a potential for abuse or that it is capable of causing psychological or physical dependence. Such families are narcotics, barbiturates, amphetamines, sedatives, and hypnotics.
Once the dangerous drugs were determined, the next step was to classify the drugs into schedules related to abuse potential or danger.
Chapter 3, p. 22
Chapter 3, p. 22
Signs of elder abuse Chapter 3, p. 23
Signs of child abuse Chapter 3, p. 25
Chapter 3, p. 23
Chapter 4, p. 27-51 See box 4-1 Basic observations