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Christchurch police have confirmed controlled drugs at the Canterbury District Health Board have been tampered with over a month-long period.
The DHB contacted police after staff noticed pain relief medication was being diluted or replaced with water in Christchurch Hospital wards.
Detective Senior Sergeant David Harvey said today it was not yet known the exact number of drugs that were diluted.
He was also tight-lipped over the type of drug and how many patients were given the watered-down medication.
Mr Harvey said police were "actively working" with hospital administration staff and were looking at the process involved with accessing and dispensing the drugs.
The Doctors Health Advisory Service - a group that helps doctors with addictions - said nurses would have access to the drugs and they would have passed the medication on to doctors.
"Every DHB would have formal controls over the management of controlled drugs, such as opiates," director Edwin Whiteside told Radio New Zealand.
He said most DHBs would have a "double signature" requirement when dealing with drugs, as a check before they were administered to patients.
Dr Whiteside said doctors hooked on drugs as a result of the easy access was an "occupational hazard".
"I personally think DHBs have an obligation to support staff with addiction problems or dependence on chemicals.
"But of course if it's a security issue and drugs are going missing and being sold for example, then that's an entirely different disciplinary matter."
He said it was rare for doctors to use supplies from a medical practice or hospital and he had never heard of drugs being diluted or replaced.
"To me if the drug was contained in an ampoule it would be difficult to dilute it and replace it at that point - perhaps it's when the drug is being used with the patient and transferred from the ampoule, or vial over to an IV system, it may be easier to dilute it at that point.
"I think DHBs in particular, I think they should look at the potential for staff to use drugs for their own use, if they have a potential problem and maybe refer them to their occupational health unit or the doctors' health advisory service accordingly."
Christchurch Hospital general manager Mark Leggett said patient safety was the hospital's "main concern" and additional precautions had been put in place.
- NZPA
