Medication oversight, governance, and administration in intellectual disability services: legislative limbo

Abstract

Medication administration remains a central component of support for people with intellectual disabilities, yet there is limited guidance for providers regarding their obligations for policy and practice. This article reviews the issue and offers a summary of the information available for disability support providers and their obligations pertaining to medication administration. Medication administration in disability services in Australia has been left in a legislative limbo with no government body taking overall responsibility for providing clear guidelines. Given the current focus on abuse and neglect, this issue requires urgent consideration and debate, with clear policy guidelines an urgent need.