Covert medication (also called concealed, hidden or surreptitious medication), the covert administration of medicines is when medicines are administered in a disguised form, usually in food or drink, without the knowledge or consent of the individual receiving the drug.
[1][2] The decision-making processes surrounding covert medication should be in the best interests of the patient, transparent and inclusive.
[3] Research suggests that covert administration of drugs is an embedded practice in nursing homes for the elderly in New Zealand.
[citation needed] In the care of paediatric patients, young children may be unwilling to take medication with an unpleasant taste or smell, or due to fear of the unfamiliar.
These patients may exhibit behaviours that challenge or symptoms of mental ill health, for which medication is used to reduce risk of harm to self or others.
[10] Some medicines are incompatible with various minerals including calcium, iron, magnesium, and zinc, all of which may reduce absorption.
In some situations, patients may lack capacity to make decisions about accepting or refusing medication.
[citation needed] Medication is only likely to be administered covertly where: The Human Rights Act, part of UK law, incorporates the European Convention of Human Rights and has several implications for mental health patients.
Relevant articles concerning mental health and covert medicine administration in the Human Rights Act are listed below: Article 3 "No one shall be subjected to torture or to inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment"[20] Article 5 "Right to liberty and security"[20] 5(1) "Everyone has the right to liberty and security of person save ... (e)the lawful detention...of persons of unsound mind..." 5(2) "Everyone who is arrested shall be informed promptly, in a language which he understands, of the reasons for his arrest..." 5(4) "Everyone who is deprived of his liberty...shall be entitled to take proceedings by which the lawfulness of his detention shall be decided speedily by a court and his release ordered if the detention is not lawful.
[2]Capacity should be assessed each time a new medical decision is made, as the ability to give valid consent can fluctuate, particularly in those with mental health disorders.
[24]: 2 [5]: 4 They argue that the lack of healthcare services, such as in India, may contribute to covert medication by family members.