Limited pharmaceutical stock at a social services sheltered housing unit requires a permit or a notification

It is possible to keep a limited pharmaceutical stock for common use at a social services sheltered housing unit. This limited pharmaceutical stock is only to be used for urgent medical needs when a resident’s pre-existing condition worsens and requires immediate medication.  A pharmaceutical stock on site allows medication to be administered immediately, avoiding the need to transport residents to an emergency clinic at night or on weekends for no other purpose than to obtain medications.

Private service providers need a permit from the permit and supervisory authority to keep a limited pharmaceutical stock. The permit application must be submitted to the Regional State Administrative Agency in whose domain the relevant unit is located. Service providers operating in the domains of several Regional State Administrative Agencies must apply to Valvira for the permit. Local authorities submit notifications for their pharmaceutical stocks to the Regional State Administrative Agency.

Creating a pharmaceutical stock requires a designated coordinator and a pharmacotherapy plan approved by a legalised physician. Such a coordinator may be a physician employed at the unit or a legalised health care professional with sufficient competence and training in pharmacotherapy.  Medications may only be administered by legalized or title-protected health care or social welfare professionals who have the required pharmacotherapy training and confirmed competence in administering medications. There must be a sufficient number of such employees present on site at all times.  

Limited pharmaceutical stocks are provided for in an amendment to the Medicines Act that entered into force at the beginning of April 2022.

Further information:

Senior Officer Irja Hemmilä, Valvira, 0295 209 531

Health Care Senior Officer Paula Hevosmaa, Southern Finland Regional State Administrative Agency, 0295 016 082

Health Care Senior Officer Päivi Vainio, Southern Finland Regional State Administrative Agency, 0295 016 091