In Queensland, Schedule 17 of the Medicines and Poisons (Medicines) Regulation 2021, identifies regulated places that are required to have an Substance Management Plan (SMP). Here's what an SMP actually is, why it matters, and what's at risk if yours isn't up to standard.
A Substance Management Plan (SMP) is a formal document required under the Medicines and Poisons Act 2019 that sets out how a regulated place manages the known and foreseeable risks of handling regulated medicines and poisons on site.
It isn't a filing-cabinet formality. Where an SMP applies, staff must actually comply with it to carry out a regulated activity in the authorised way — it's meant to be a working document your team uses, not one that only gets opened when a regulator asks for it.
An SMP is required for any place specified as a regulated place under the Medicines and Poisons (Medicines) Regulation 2021. Responsibility for making it sits with a specific, named role — not whoever happens to be free.
Patients, residents, students and staff, from medication error, diversion and misuse.
If Queensland Health audits or investigates, a current SMP is the first thing that shows you take the obligation seriously.
When something goes wrong, it's often the difference between a manageable conversation and a serious escalation.
Non-compliance with the substance management plan provisions carries a penalty of 250 penalty units under the Act.
The chief executive can act against an authority where a requirement has been contravened, or where it's reasonably necessary to prevent a health risk — up to conditions, suspension or cancellation.
Queensland Health favours education first, but serious or ongoing non-compliance can move straight to administrative action.
No SMP, or one that doesn't reflect what's actually happening, means no documented evidence the risk was ever considered — and that gap becomes the focus of any investigation.
A compliance failure involving medicines or poisons is the kind of story that reaches families, boards, and sometimes the media.
Built to the departmental standard, tailored to your place and your risks.
5-year reviews, incident reviews, and targeted checks against current practice.
Know what's tested before an inspector or auditor walks in.
Already received a notice? We understand the process and how to respond.
CDSafe Consulting · Queensland Medicines, Poisons & Public Health Compliance · General information only, not legal advice.
CDSafe Consulting is run by a former Queensland Health Delegate with 20+ years on the regulator's side of the desk. We know what a reviewer is actually testing for.
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.