A detective is to join a team of experts to help strengthen the system of managing controlled drugs following the Harold Shipman case.
Detective Sergeant Duncan White, from West Mercia Police, will act as police liaison manager during an 18-month secondment to the Healthcare Commission.
The team aims to minimise risks to patient safety by analysing trends to offer early indications of the inappropriate use of any controlled drugs.
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This follows recommendations from the fourth Shipman inquiry report, Safer Management of Controlled Drugs, after which the commission was given responsibility for regulating controlled drugs.
Det Sgt White is also the secretary of the National Association of Chemist Inspecting Officers and has been actively involved in several post- Shipman working groups.
He has been a chemist inspection officer in Shropshire since 1998, mainly based in Shifnal, and is now based in London.
He said: "This is a prestigious role and a great step forward in the introduction of new measures which will help to prevent a case like the Shipman one from ever happening again.
"I feel very privileged to take on this national role, and am looking forward to bringing the experience and knowledge that I gain back to West Mercia."
Simon Gillespie, head of operations at the Healthcare Commission, said: "The Shipman inquiry was a strong indication to Government that there was a big gap in the regulation of controlled drugs.
"We see the effective management of controlled drugs as an inherent responsibility of all healthcare organisations, working effectively with other agencies.
