11. Control Drugs

Question 1

What are the two ways in which controlled drugs are classified?

Answer 1

1. Misuse of drugs act 1971

2. Misuse of drugs regulations 2001

Question 2

What is the purpose of misuse of drugs act 1971?

Answer 2

Primary purpose is to prevent the misuse of controlled drugs… by prohibiting possession, supply, manufacture, import export

Question 3

What are the classifications according to their potential harmfulness in misuse of drugs act 1971? Give an example of a drug in each class.

Answer 3

Class A- LSD, Crack cocaine, Heroine

Class B- Weed, Codeine, Amphetamine

Class C- Anabolic steroids, Benzodiazepine

Question 4

What is the misuse of drugs regulations 2001?

Answer 4

Controls applied to their legitimate use

Question 5

What factors influence the class of drugs under the misuse of drugs regulation 2001?

Answer 5

1. Extent of use of medicine

2. Need to prevent misuse

Question 6

What are the schedules in the misuse of drug regulation act 2001 and give an example of a drug that goes under each.

Answer 6

1. Schedule 1- LSD, Cannabis
2. Schedule 2- Opiates (morphine)
3. Schedule 3- Pregabalin, gabapentin
4. Schedule 4
   Part I: Benzodiazepine
   Part II: Anabolic steroids
5. Schedule 5- Co-codamol

Question 7

Give three facts about schedule 1 drugs

Answer 7

1. Most strictly controlled group
2. Little to no therapeutic effect
3. Limited research and other special purposes
4. Licence needed from the home secretary in order to possess, produce and supply

Question 8

What are additional controls should be considered when handling schedule 2 drugs ?

Answer 8

1. Prescription requirements
2. safe custody
3. record-keeping

Licence required for import and export

Question 9

What are additional controls that should be considered when handling schedule 3 drugs ?

Answer 9

1. Prescription requirement
2. Safe custody
3. Licence required to import and export.

Question 10

Do Sch 4 drugs require prescription requirements, safe custody and record keeping ?

Answer 10

No

1. No safe custody
2. No prescription requirements
3. No records to be kept

Question 11

What are additional controls should be considered when handling schedule 5 drugs ?

Answer 11

1. Usually P or POM
2. Negligible risk of abuse
3. Does not include
   preparation for injections
4. Invoice retained for 2 years

Question 12

Finish the statement…

It is unlawful to be in possession of CDs other than in schedule 5 unless permitted by:

Answer 12

a. Home office licences
b. Members of group specified by the home office
c. Members of a class of person specified in the regulations e.g. pharmacists
d. Regulations provided that procession of drug/group of drugs is lawful
e. Legally prescribed

Question 13

What CDs can be included in patient group directories :

Answer 13

Schedule 2: Morphine and diamorphine, ketamine

Schedule 3: Midazolam

Schedule 4: All except anabolic steroids and injectables for treating addiction

Schedule 5: all drugs

Question 14

What schedule drugs needs to be in safe custody i.e locked safe in a cabinet or room ?

Answer 14

Schedule 2 - except quinabarbitone

Schedule 3- many exemptions. Applies to temazepam, diethylpropion, buprenorphine

Question 15

How does a private CD prescription differ from a NHS CD prescription? (appearance)

Answer 15

Prescription is pink

Question 16

What additional factors should you consider when handling a private CD prescription ?

Answer 16

1. Must state prescribers private CD number
2. Prescription submitted to PPD after dispensing and copy retained in the pharmacy (other private scrips are retained for 2 years)
3. Cannot have any other medicines on the form