Covert medication

Covert medication (also hidden medication) is the intentional "administration of medication to patients without their knowledge". To increase compliance, medications may be administered surreptitiously in food or drink.

Covert medication is practiced in psychiatric applications, and in long-term care. According to Hung et al (2012), it is a "practice surrounded by clinical, legal, ethics-related, and cultural controversy". In some countries, the practice is not addressed by laws covering healthcare.