The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has published its The Safer Management of Controlled Drugs: Annual Update 2025 report, released on 9 July 2026, highlighting key risks, emerging trends and recommendations to strengthen the safe management and use of controlled drugs across England.
The annual report draws on the CQC's regulatory oversight, prescribing data, inspection findings and intelligence from Controlled Drugs Accountable Officers (CDAOs), identifying areas where healthcare organisations should continue to focus their improvement efforts.
Key messages from the report include:
- Maintaining strong governance of controlled drugs remains essential, particularly as NHS organisational structures continue to evolve.
- Preventing diversion, theft and fraud remains a significant priority, with continued concerns around inappropriate access to controlled drugs and weaknesses in electronic prescribing systems.
- Accurate documentation and effective communication between healthcare teams are vital to reducing medication errors and preventing avoidable harm.
- Robust recruitment, security and staff training are critical to minimising the risk of diversion and ensuring safe practice.
- The report highlights examples of good practice, including multidisciplinary controlled drugs oversight groups, improved electronic prescribing systems, and stronger collaboration between healthcare providers and pharmacy teams.
The CQC also encourages organisations to strengthen learning from incidents, review local governance arrangements and ensure Controlled Drugs Accountable Officers are appropriately supported to maintain safe systems and protect patients.
For healthcare professionals responsible for prescribing, administering or governing controlled drugs, the report reinforces the importance of continual vigilance, effective oversight and sharing learning to improve patient safety across all care settings.
Source: CQC
Join us for our upcoming Controlled Drugs CPD Conference which is taking place virtually on Wednesday 14th October 2026.
The conference will update you on current national developments, developing the role of the CDAO and improving practice through learning from case studies. There are also new sessions focusing on a case study on accounting for losses on a hospital ward, and a Coroner perspective and learning from the Coroner and Prevention of Future Deaths report.
The day will also reflect on the 2026 CQC Controlled Drugs Annual Report and explore the prescribing and governance of controlled drugs at the end of life.
To find out more and book your place visit: www.healthcareconferencesuk.co.uk/virtual-online-courses/controlled-drugs-conference
