Drugs of Potential Abuse & Controlled Drugs

Question 1

When prescribing a controlled drug (schedule 2 and 3) what must be present on the prescription?

Answer 1

1. Name and address of the patient.
2. The form and where appropriate the strength of the preparation.
3. The total quantity in both words and figures or the number of dosage units to be supplied.
4. Prescribers name, signature, address and current date.

Question 2

The 2001 Misuse of Drugs Regulation Act says that there are how many categories of scheduled drugs?

Answer 2

• 5 Categories called “Schedules”.

Question 3

What drugs are in Schedule 1?

Answer 3

1. Cannabis
2. Lysergide (LSD)

Question 4

What drugs are in Schedule 2?

Answer 4

1. Diamorphine
2. Morphine
3. Pethidine
4. Amphetamines
5. Cocaine

Question 5

What drugs are in Schedule 3?

Answer 5

1. Barbiturates
2. Buprenorphine
3. Midazolam
4. Temapzepam

Question 6

What drugs are in Schedule 4?

Answer 6

Part 1: Benzodiazepines (except midazolam and temazepam) and zopiderm.

Part 2: Androgenic and anabolic steroids, hCG and somatropin.

(NOTE: Controlled drug prescription requirements do not apply and Schedule 4 controlled drugs are not subject to safe custody requirements)

Question 7

What drugs are in Schedule 5?

Answer 7

Includes preparations which because of their strength are exempt from the vast majority of Controlled Drug requirements other than retention of invoices. (e.g. Oramorph 1mg/5ml)

Question 8

How long is a prescription for controlled drugs in schedules 2,3 & 4 valid for?

Answer 8

28 days

Question 9

A pharmacist is generally not allowed to dispense unless all the information required by law is given. However, in what circumstance is a pharmacist allowed to amend the prescription?

Answer 9

• If it is a schedule 2 and 3 drug
• it specifies the total quantity only in words or in figures or if it contains minor typographical errors (I.e. the doctor forgot to write it in words, or figures or has made a typographical error…then the pharmacist can correct it)

Question 10

Which schedule 3 drug is exempt from special prescription requirements?

Answer 10

Temazepam

Question 11

How should controlled drugs be stored?

Answer 11

Surgery - in a locked cabinet.

Outside surgery - in a locked receptacle (Dr’s bag with key or combination lock.)

A lock car is not acceptable.

Question 12

What must be kept for the supply of schedule 2 drugs?

Answer 12

A register

Question 13

What are some specific requirements of the register?

Answer 13

• Must be bound rather than loose leaved. Computerised records are acceptable as long as they are secure and auditable
• Each drug should have its own individual section
• Entries should be chronological and made in indelible ink
• The following information should be recorded when receiving CDs: date, name and address of the supplier, quantity received, name, form and strength
• The following information should be recorded when supplying CDs (either to patients or practitioners): date, name and address of the person receiving the CD, person who prescribed or ordered the CD, quantity supplied, name, form and strength
• Must be kept for a minimum of 2 years after the date of the last entry

Question 14

Who is responsible for the receipt and supply of controlled drugs from a doctors own bag?

Answer 14

he or she is.

Question 15

If a doctor has a bag with controlled drugs, what register does he need to keep?

Answer 15

An individual & seperate CD register for that bag.

Question 16

Which schedules of drugs are under special precription requirements (e.g. labelled as controlled drugs in the BNF)

Answer 16

Schedule 2 and 3.

NOTE: temazepam is excluded from the prescription requirements

Question 17

To prescribe diamorphine to an addict, a doctor needs to apply for a licence from which body?

Answer 17

The Home Office