An Introduction Into The Misuse Of Drugs Act 1971 And CD Schedules

Question 1

Misuse of drugs act 1971

Answer 1

Came about as a result of the Shipman Inquiry. Prohibits activities relating to CDs and provides framework for issuing criminal penalties. Possession of drugs in these classes is less editors crime than supply/ manufacturing them

Question 2

Class A Controlled drug

Answer 2

Crack, cocaine, ecstasy, heroin, LSD. Possession= 7 years and fine. Supply/ manufacture= life in prison and fine.

Question 3

Class B Controlled drug

Answer 3

Amphetamine, cannabis and ketamine. Possession= 5 years and fine. Supply/ manufacture= 14 years and fine.

Question 4

Class C Controlled drugs

Answer 4

Benzodiazepines (Diazepam), anabolic steroids. Possession= 2 years. Supply/ manufacture= 14 years and fine.

Question 5

Misuse of Drugs Act 2001

Answer 5

Controls the availability of CDs according to legitimate and recognisable uses e.g. medical and research purposes

Question 6

Schedule 1 (CD Licensed POM)

Answer 6

E.g. Hallucinogenic drugs (LSD), raw opium and cannabis. No therapeutic use. Home office license is needed to produce, possess and supply these drugs.

Question 7

Schedule 2 (CD POM)

Answer 7

E.g. Opiates (morphine, diamorphine and methadone), major stimulants (amphetamines) and ketamine. Pharmacists and other HCP listed in the 2001 Regulations have been granted authority to possess, supply and obtain when acting in capacity

Question 8

Schedule 3 (CD No register POM)

Answer 8

E.g. Buprenorphine, temazepam, midazolam, tramadol and phenobarbital. These drugs are less likely to be misused and less harmful when misused.

Question 9

Schedule 4 Part I and Part II ( CD Benz Pom and CD Anab POM)

Answer 9

CD Benz POM includes most benzodiazepines (e.g. diazepam, lorazepam), hypnotics (zopiclone, zolpidem) and Sativex (cannabinoid oromucosal spray). CD Anab POM includes anabolic and androgenic steroids, growth hormones

Question 10

Schedule 5 (CD Inv POM and CD Inv P)

Answer 10

Negligible abuse potential. Medicinal products that contain low dosage or certain CDs including morphine, pholcodine and codeine. CD Inv POM examples: Codeine tablets/ co-codamol, dihydrocodeine tablets/ dydramol. CD Inv P examples: Codeine linctus

Question 11

Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD)

Answer 11

Independent expert body sponsored by the Home office. Advise the government on drug related issues in the UK. Involved in scheduling and classification of drugs

Question 12

Misuse of Drugs (Safe Custody Regulations 1973)

Answer 12

CDs should be kept in a locked safe/ cabinet to prevent unauthorised access. Access should be documented within a SOP in each pharmacy. Key to CD should always be with responsible pharmacist. Only time not locked away is when it’s kept under direct supervision of pharmacist

Question 13

Safe custody

Answer 13

CD Sch 1 is stored in cupboard. CD Sch 2 is stored in cupboard, except Secobarbital. Some CD Sch 3’s are stored in the cupboard apart from temazepam and buprenorphine. Phenobarbitone, midazolam, tramadol and pentazocine are not stored in cupboard.