OSPE

• Classification of Controlled Drugs

  • Schedule 1
  • Schedule 2
  • Schedule 3
  • Schedule 4 (Part I)
  • Schedule 4 (Part II)
  • Schedule 5
• Schedule 1


  CD LIC POM, e.g. ecstasy-type substances - there are no therapeutic use and license required for their production, possession or supply
• Schedule 2


  CD POM - pharmacist and other names classes have general authority to prescribe, possess and supply when acting capacity
• Examples of Schedule 2 Controlled Drugs

  • OPIATES e.g. diamorphine, morphine and methadone
  • MAJOR STIMULANTS e.g. ketamine, amphetamines
• Schedule 3


  CD NO REGISTER POM - MINOR STIMULANTS e.g. buprenorphine, tramadol, gabapentin and pregabalin
• Schedule 4 (Part I)

  CD BENZ POM e.g. diazepam, zopiclone and Sativex
• Schedule 4 (Part II)

  CD ANAB POM - contains growth hormones and anabolic and androgenic steroids
• Schedule 5


  CD INV POM OR CD INV P - contains the preparation of certain CDs e.g. codeine or morphine
• Possession and Supply of Controlled Drugs

  • Pharmacists, doctors and dentists - acting in capacity
  • Independent prescribers: Nurse + Pharmacist
  • Supplementary prescriber
• Possession of Schedule 1 Controlled Drugs


  A Home Office is req'd to possess CD 1 however a pharmacist can take possession of such CDs for the purpose of destruction or to handover to a police officer
• Administration of Controlled Drugs of CD 2/ CD 3/ CD 4

  1. Doctor, Dentist, Pharmacist independent prescriber, Nurse independent prescriber - acting in their own rights

  2. Supplementary prescriber - acting within a clinical management plan

  3. A person acting in accordance with the directions of a prescriber entitled to prescribe
• Travelling with Controlled Drugs

  1. Obtain a covering letter signed by prescriber

  2. Include name of the pt, travel plans, name of the prescribed CDs, total quantities, dose

  3. Check with embassies to ensure the import and export regulations are complied with
• Requisition Requirements for CD 1/ CD 2/ CD 3

  • Signature of the recipient
  • Name of the recipient
  • Address of the recipient
  • Profession or occupation
  • Total quantity of drug
• Supplied cannot be made on a faxed or photocopied requisition
• In an emergency, a doctor or dentist can be supplied with a CD 2 or CD 3, but has to deliver a requisition within 24 hours
• Processing Requisition Forms for CD 1/ CD 2/ CD 3

  1. Mark the supplier's name and address (i.e. the name of the pharmacy); the pharmacy stamp should be present (within indelible ink)

  2. Send NHS BSA agency
• Requirements for Registered Midwife Orders

  • Name of the midwife
  • Occupation of the midwife
  • Name of the person whom the CD should be administered or supplied to
  • Purpose for which the CD is req'd
  • Total Quantity of the drug to be obtained
• Requirements for Wholesale Dealing

  • The date of the POM was supplied
  • Name, Quantity, where it may not be apparent is the formulation and the strength of the POM supplied
  • Name, Address, Trade/Business/Profession of the person to whom the medicine was supplied
  • The Purpose for which it was sold or supplied
• Prescription Requirements for CD 2 + 3 Drugs: both NHS and Private


  • Patient: Name, Age, Address
  • Prescriber: Name, Address, Telephone No, GMC no, Signature, Date
• Requirements for Controlled Drug on Prescription

  • Name of the CD
  • Formulations
  • Strength
  • Dose in WORDS and FIGURES
  • Total Quantity in WORDS and FIGURES
  • Quantity prescribed
• When a CD is supplied, it is a req'ment to mark the prescription with the DATE OF SUPPLY at the time the supply is made
• CD 2 + 3 = NOT REPEATABLE PRESCRIPTIONS
• What is NOT appropriate dose


  • As directed
  • When req'd
  • PRN
  • As per chart
  • Weekly
  • Twice a day
• Instalment Direction (FP10 MDA)


  The amount of medicine to be supplied per instalment<|>Interval between each time the medicine is supplied
• Drugs for Instalment Direction

  • CD 2 drugs
  • Buprenorphine
  • Suboxone (Buprenorphine/Naloxone)
  • Diazepam
• What if the patient misses a dose?

  If they have missed more than three days' prescribed treatment, the pt may have lost tolerance to the drug. The usual dose could have caused an overdose.
• Amendments to Prescriptions


  1. Minor typographical error or spelling mistake

  2. Where either in WORDS or FIGURE (not both) of the total quantity has been omitted
• Any other errors must be sent back to the prescriber and a new prescription should be requested
• Collection of Dispensed Controlled Drugs

  1. Request evidence of identity if collected by the pt or the pt's representative

  2. Request the identity of name and the address of the healthcare professional if collected by a healthcare professional acting in their professional capacity on behalf of the pt
• What if the collection was by a representative of a drug misuse pt?

  Collect a letter from the drug misuser, which authorises and names the representative
• Minor typographical error or spelling mistake

  Amendments that a pharmacist can do
• Amendments by pharmacist


  Mark the Rmx where the amendments have happened

  1. Include name, date, signature and GPhC reg no.
• Person collecting the prescribed medication


  The patient, the patient's representative or the healthcare professional
• If the collector is the patient or the patient's representative


  Request evidence of identity
• If the collector is a healthcare professional acting in their professional capacity on behalf of the patient


  Request the identity of name and the address of the healthcare professional
• If the collector is a representative of a drug misuse patient

  Collect a letter from the drug misuser, which authorises and names the representative

  1. A separate letter must be obtained every time
  2. Record the supply, including the details of the representative in the CD register
  3. 'Good Practice' - for the person collecting to sign at the back of the Rmx. Only needs to be signed once.
• Recording in the CD register for drugs received

  The date of supply received

  1. Name and Address from who it is received from
  2. Quantity received
• Recording in the CD register for drugs supplied

  The date of the supplied

  1. Name and Address of recipient
  2. Details of the authority to possess - prescriber or licence holder's details
  3. The quantity supplied
  4. The details of the person collecting CD 2 drugs - the patient/ patient's representative or healthcare professional
  5. Whether the proof of identity was requested of the person collecting
  6. Whether the proof of identity was provided
• The Nature of the CD Register

  1. At the head of each page, it should have: Class, Strength and Form
  2. Different classes of the drug are kept on separate pages
  3. Within each class, there are separate pages for different strength and formulation
  4. The entries must not be cancelled, obliterated or altered. Corrections must be dated on the marginal notes or footnotes.
  5. The pharmacist's: name, initials/signature and GPhC no.
• Classification of veterinary medicines

  • NFA-VPS - for non-food animals, can be supplied by a vet surgeon, pharmacist or any other qualified person. Written prescription not required.

  POM-V - A POM medicine on a written prescription required by the vet surgeon and is also supplied by them or a pharmacist provided, they have been handed a Rmx.

  POM-VPS - A POM medicine prescribed and supplied by a vet surgeon, a pharmacist or suitable qualified person on an oral or written prescription.