Misuse of drugs Act 1971 + Misuse of drugs regulations 2001

• What is the primary purpose of the Misuse of Drugs Act?

  To prevent misuse of controlled drugs by regulating export, import, production, supply, and possession, especially of harmful drugs.
• What are Controlled Drugs (CDs) under the Act?

  Substances regulated to prevent misuse, with specific controls on treating addicts and unlawful activities related to these
• What is the role of Schedule 2 in the Act?

  It lists drugs subject to control, classifying them based on harm to determine penalties.
• What drugs are in Class A (Part 1) and why?

  Heroin, cocaine, ecstasy, LSD, and methamphetamine; they are the most harmful and carry the highest penalties.
• What drugs fall under Class B (Part 2)?

  Cannabis, amphetamine, codeine. —these carry moderate penalties.
• What is Class C (Part 3) and examples?

  Less harmful drugs like ketamine and diazepam, often penalized with fines rather than prison.
• What are Novel Psychoactive Substances (NPS)?

  "Legal highs" banned under the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 for manufacture, import, and distribution (except alcohol, tobacco, foods, and medicines).
• What is the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016?

  Legislation banning production and distribution of psychoactive substances, but not possession, to limit harmful “legal highs.”
• What restrictions are placed on pharmacists convicted of CD-related offences?

  They are prohibited from any activities involving CDs, including possession, supply, dispensing, and compounding.
• What happens if a convicted pharmacist owns a retail pharmacy?

  Removal from premises and the pharmacy register.
• What is the purpose of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001?

  It permits the medicinal use of CDs and classifies them into five schedules.
• What is Schedule 1 (CD Lic POM)?

  The most dangerous and highly controlled drugs, typically not handled by pharmacists.
• What is Schedule 2 (CD POM)?

  Controlled drugs that can be prescribed, such as morphine and other strong opioids.
• What is Schedule 3 (CD No Register POM)?

  Controlled drugs with no register requirements, like some barbiturates and buprenorphine.
• What is Schedule 4, Part I (CD Benz POM)?

  Covers benzodiazepines, which can be prescribed but have specific restrictions.
• What is Schedule 4, Part II (CD Anab POM)?

  Includes anabolic steroids, which can be prescribed with controlled use.
• What is Schedule 5 (CD Inv P or CD Inv POM)?

  Includes low-strength preparations of certain CDs, often available over the counter or by prescription.
• What is Schedule 1 in the Misuse of Drugs Act?

  Schedule 1 (CD Lic POM) includes drugs like hallucinogens, ecstasy, and raw opium, considered to have no therapeutic use. Requires a Home Office license for handling, mainly for research purposes.
• Exemptions for the possession of Schedule 1 drugs by a pharmacist is limited to what?

  • for purpose of destruction
  • handing over to a police officer
• Give examples of Schedule 2 (CD POM) drugs.

  Schedule 2 includes highly controlled drugs like morphine, cocaine, ketamine, and cannabis-based medicinal products. Strict controls apply to record-keeping, safe custody, and destruction.
• Is a license required to import and export Schedule 2 drugs?

  Yes.
• Schedule 2 drugs can be manufactured or compounded by who?

  • License holder
  • Practitioner
  • Pharmacist
  • Person conducting retail pharmacy business
• What controls need to be in place for Schedule 2 drugs in pharmacies?

  • destruction of stock
  • marking of containers
  • record keeping
  • safe custody of all drugs (CD cabinets where they must be kept with a lock and key)
  • including patient-returned CD Schedule 2 medicines
• Which Schedule 2 drug doesn't need safe custody?

  Quinalbarbitone
• What are the main characteristics of Schedule 3 drugs?

  Schedule 3 drugs, like phenobarbital, tramadol, and buprenorphine, have lower misuse potential and generally don’t require record-keeping or destruction under witness but still need storage and retained invoices.
• How long do invoices for Schedule 3 drugs need to be retained by all retailers?

  2 years
• Most drugs in Schedule 3 are exempt from safe custody requirements and can be stored on the open dispensary shelf. However some are exempt, what are they?

  • Diethylpropion
  • Buprenorphine
  • Flunitrazepam
  • Temazepam
• What is unique about Schedule 4 drugs?

  Divided into two parts: Part I (CD Benz POM) includes benzodiazepines, and Part II (CD Anab POM) includes anabolic steroids. They have fewer restrictions and allow emergency supplies.
• For Schedule 4 all restrictions for Schedule 3 applies except:

  1. Prescription and labelling requirements under Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 do not apply

  • (But: requirements under HMR 2012 still apply)

  1. CD Register entries are not required
  2. Invoices not retained
  3. No safe custody requirements
  4. Destruction requirements (authorised witness) only apply to importers, exporters and manufacturers
  5. Emergency supplies allowed (not allowed for schedules 2 and 3)
• What defines Schedule 5 drugs?

  Schedule 5 includes low-strength controlled drugs like codeine and morphine, with negligible misuse potential. They’re largely exempt from CD regulations, although invoices must be retained for two years.
• What governs the possession and supply of controlled drugs?

  The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
• What are the three classes of controlled drugs based on potential harm?

  • Class A – e.g., morphine, LSD.
  • Class B – e.g., codeine, cannabis.
  • Class C – e.g., diazepam.
• What is required for legal possession of controlled drugs in Schedules 2 to 4(i)

  A prescription for patients.
• Which schedule includes drugs that can only be used for research by specially licensed doctors?

  Schedule 1.
• What differentiates Class A, B, and C drugs?

  Their potential harm, which affects the penalties for illegal or unlicensed use.