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Originator: National Patient Safety Alert - NHS England & NHS Improvement

Issue date: 05-Apr-2022 10:00:07

This alert has been issued to:
  • Care Trusts
  • Mental Health Trusts
  • Specialists Trusts
  • Learning Disabilities Trusts
  • Mental Health & Social Care Trusts
  • Ambulance Trusts
  • Mental Health & Learning Disabilities Trusts
  • Acute Trusts
  • Community Trusts

  • Other contacts
  • Independent Healthcare Providers (registered with CAS)
  • Clinical Commissioning Groups
  • NHS Regional Offices
  • Special Health Authorities
  • GP - Locum
  • NHS 111 and Out of hours providers
  • GP Practices
  • Community Pharmacy
  • Primary Care Networks
  • GP Practices 1

Action category: Immediate Action

Title: Inadvertent oral administration of potassium permanganate

Broadcast content:

Potassium permanganate is supplied in concentrated forms, either as a ‘tablet’ or a solution, which requires dilution before use. These concentrated forms resemble an oral tablet or drink and if ingested are highly toxic. 

The alert asks both secondary and primary care providers to take action to assess if use of potassium permanganate can be reduced; to ensure safer prescribing and labelling, and to ensure it is stored safely.



Additional information: NHS England and NHS Improvement Regional Offices: please cascade this alert to Community Pharmacy

Alert reference: NatPSA/2022/003/NHSPS

Action underway deadline: 08-Apr-2022

Action complete deadline: 04-Oct-2022

Attachments:

Contact our helpdesk

Email: safetyalerts@mhra.gov.uk

Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency