Controlled drugs

Question 1

Is the 30 days maximum quantity rule a LEGAL requirement?

Answer 1

NO

only a ‘strong recommendation’ from the Scottish Government

Question 2

how long should the CD register be kept for

Answer 2

2 years from date of last entry

Electronic: 2 years from the date the entry was made (as the system can then delete these automatically when 2 years are up)

Question 3

Which schedules of CD’s do invoices need to be retained for? and for how long?

Answer 3

Schedule 3 and schedule 5 only (schedule 2’s get entered in CD register, and schedule 4’s is just random that you don’t need to!)

Keep invoices for 2 years

Question 4

All Schedule 2 CD’s require safe custody requirements, apart from which drug?

Answer 4

Secobarbital

Question 5

All the barbiturates are Schedule 3 CD’s, bar one, which is?

Answer 5

Secobarbital

Question 6

The majority of the Schedule 2 CD’s are exempt from safe custody requirements and do not need to be kept in the CD cupboard. Which ones DO need to be kept in there?

Answer 6

Temazepam
Buprenorphine
Diethylpropion

Question 7

Does midazolam (schedule 3 CD) need to be kept in the CD cabinet?

Answer 7

No

Question 8

Does tramadol need to be kept in the CD cabinet?

Answer 8

No

Question 9

Do prescriptions for tramadol need to follow CD Rx requirements?

Answer 9

Yes

Question 10

How long is a prescription for Zopiclone valid for?

Answer 10

28 days

Question 11

Does a prescription for Zaleplon need to follow CD Rx requirements?

Answer 11

no- it is schedule 4

Question 12

Is it a legal requirement for the strength to always be on a CD prescription?

Answer 12

For CD’s that need to follow CD Rx requirements (Schedule 2 and 3 bar temazepam) the strength has to be stated only if there is more than one strength available

This is not the same for form: form always has to be stated regardless of whether only one form is available

Question 13

Codeine phosphate (30mg + 60mg) is a schedule 5 CD. How long are prescriptions for these CD’s valid for?

Answer 13

6 months

Question 14

Compared to POM’s what is the only thing that seems to make Schedule 5 CD’s different?

Answer 14

Need to retain invoices for 2 years

Question 15

If a CD has been prescribed by a dentist, what must be present on the Rx?

Answer 15

For dental treatment only

Question 16

What strength of Oramorph solution is a schedule 5 CD?

Answer 16

10mg/ 5ml

20mg/ml is schedule 2 CD

Question 17

Which CD’s can be repeated?

Answer 17

Schedule 4 and 5

schedule 2 and 3 are NOT repeatable

NB: for schedule 4 repeats, first dispensing must occur within 28 days of the appropriate date!

Question 18

WRT getting the patient to sign the back of a prescription when CDs are collected, is this a legal requirement?

Answer 18

no
good practice

NB: for schedule 2 CDs it is a legal requirement to ask for ID

Question 19

In addition to the normal prescription requirements, private prescriptions must also include the ___________

Answer 19

prescriber identification number: a separate number to their registration number- enables tracking of prescribing patterns

Question 20

Expired
Obsolete
Unwanted
Patient returns

For which is it a legal requirement for schedule 1 and 2 CD’s to be destroyed in the presence of an authorised witness ?

Answer 20

Expired
Obsolete
Unwanted

NB: (the person witnessing can be someone authorised by an Accountable Officer)

Question 21

Can prescribers ‘forward date’ prescriptions?

Answer 21

Yes- they can put a date on the prescription that they want it to be valid for 28 days from

Question 22

What can instalment prescriptions be written for?

Answer 22

Any schedule 2 CD
Buprenorphine
Diazepam

Question 23

A total of __ days of treatment can be written up on Instalment prescriptions

Answer 23

14 days!

Remember this

Question 24

What is the legal maximum number of days treatment of CD 2, 3 and 4 that you can supply?

Answer 24

There is no legal max
Strong recommendation from WHO states 30 days
But can go over this if clinical need

Question 25

What schedule CD is Sativex?

Answer 25

Schedule 4 part I

Question 26

Why do you think the quantity in words and figures is required for controlled drugs?

Answer 26

1) so that it is clear to pharmacists what is required

2) To avoid the quantity being tampered with/ changed by someone- abuse potential

Question 27

Patients intending to travel abroad for more than ______ carrying any amount of Schedule __, __ & __ CDs will require a personal IMPORT/ EXPORT License!

Answer 27

more than 3 months travel

Carrying Schedule 2, 3 and 4 PART I

This is only to get the drugs through the UKs customs- they need to consult with the country they are going to to check their requirements.

it is advised that they carry a letter from their prescribed if travelling for less than 3 months

Schedule 4 part II and 5 CDs do not need this license