CQC controlled-drugs & stock audit checklist
A practical checklist to help UK clinics, GP surgeries and private practices keep controlled-drug registers, stock and expiry records inspection-ready. Work through it as a self-audit, or use it to brief your team before a review.
General guidance to support good record-keeping - not legal or regulatory advice. Always follow your own policies and current CQC, MHRA and Misuse of Drugs Regulations requirements.
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The checklist
Controlled-drug register
- A bound or tamper-evident CD register (or a validated electronic equivalent) is in use for each Schedule 2 (and relevant Schedule 3) drug.
- Every entry records date, drug, form and strength, quantity received or supplied, running balance, and the person responsible.
- Receipts and administrations are witnessed and signed where your policy requires it.
- Running balances are reconciled against physical stock on a defined schedule (e.g. weekly), and discrepancies are investigated and recorded.
- CD stock is held in an appropriate, access-controlled cabinet, with a documented key/access holder.
- Expired or returned CDs are destroyed/denatured following the correct procedure, with a witnessed record.
General stock & medicines management
- A current list of all medicines and consumables held, with agreed minimum/maximum levels.
- Stock is stored correctly (temperature, security, segregation) and fridge temperatures are logged where relevant.
- Receipt of stock is checked and recorded against orders.
- A named person is accountable for ordering, receipt and stock control.
- Usage is recorded so stock levels reflect reality between counts.
Expiry & waste
- Expiry dates are checked on a defined schedule and near-expiry items are flagged in advance.
- Out-of-date stock is removed from use promptly and disposed of correctly, with a record.
- Wastage is recorded and reviewed to reduce avoidable loss.
Audit trail & inspection evidence
- Every stock movement can be traced to who did what and when.
- Records can be produced quickly on request (register, reconciliations, temperature logs, destruction records).
- Standard operating procedures for medicines and CD management are documented, in date, and staff have read them.
- Access to records and stock is limited to authorised staff, and access is auditable.
- A recent internal audit / spot-check has been carried out and any actions closed off.
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