MISUSE OF DRUGS ACT 1971

Question 1

What is the purpose of the Misuse of Drugs Act?

Answer 1

Control of import, export, production, supply and possession of dangerous/harmful drugs (CDs)

Question 2

What are the CD classes and how are they generally assigned? (found in Schedule 2)

Answer 2

• Classes A, B and C

- Generally grouped on ability to cause harm but only used for prosecution

Question 3

What are the legalities surrounding Novel Psychoactive Substances?

Answer 3

It is illegal to manufacture, import and supply them but it is not illegal to be in possession

Question 4

What action should be taken if a doctor or pharmacist is asked for information about the supply of harmful drugs? What is considered an offence?

Answer 4

Give the information accurately to the best of their ability (it is offence to fail to response without a reasonable excuse or provide false info)

Question 5

What are pharmacist not able to do (concerning CDs)? e.g. possessing

Answer 5

Prohibited from any possession, supply, dispensing, compounding etc. of CDs

Question 6

If a retail pharmacy owner (or corporate body) is caught with CDs, what happens?

Answer 6

The pharmacy is removed from the register of pharmacies

Question 7

What legally permits the use of Controlled Drugs used as medicines

Answer 7

Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001

Question 8

What does the Misuse of Drugs (Safe Custody) Regulations 1973 deal with?

Answer 8

Storage & safe custody of CDs

Question 9

What does the Health Act 2006 deal with?

Answer 9

‘accountable officer,’ standard operating procedures (SOPs)

Question 10

How many schedules are CD’s classified into?

Answer 10

5

Question 11

What are some examples of CDs Schedule 1?

Answer 11

Hallucinogens (e.g. LSD), ecstasy-type drugs, raw opium, cannabis (drugs not used for medicinal purposes)

Question 12

Production, possession and supply of Schedule 1 CD is limited to research. True or false?

Answer 12

True

Question 13

A licence from the home office is required for possession, production, supply of which CD Schedule drugs?

Answer 13

CD Schedule 1

Question 14

When can a pharmacist be in possession of a CD Schedule 1?

Answer 14

• For purpose of destruction

- Handing over to a police officer

Question 15

What are some Schedule 2 CD’s? (3)

Answer 15

• Opiates (Cocaine, diamorphine, ketamine, morphine, methadone, oxycodone, pethidine, secobarbital
• Major stimulants (amfetamines)
• Quinalbarbitone

Question 16

What control do pharmacies have over schedule 2 CD’s?

Answer 16

• Destruction of stock
• Marking of containers
• Record keeping
• Safe custody of ALL drugs (except quinalbarbitone)

Question 17

Examples of schedule 3 CD’s

Answer 17

• Barbiturates, e.g. phenobarbital (except quinalbarbitone/secobarbital)
• Buprenorphine
• Temazepam, flunitrazepam, midazolam
• Tramadol

Question 18

What control do pharmacies have over schedule 3 CD’s?

Answer 18

• Same control as for schedule 2 except
  1) Destruction requirements don’t apply
  2) Records in CD register not required
  3) invoices need to be retained by all retailers for 2 years

Question 19

Schedule 3 CDs cannot be stored on open dispensary shelf. True or false?

Answer 19

False - they can - safe custody doesn’t apply to MOST schedule 3 drugs

Question 20

Which four Schedule 3 drugs does safe custody apply to?

Answer 20

Diethylpropion
Buprenorphine
Temazepam
Flunitrazepam

Question 21

What does CD Schedule 4 consist of:

Answer 21

Part I. CD Benz POM
contains most of the benzodiazepines
Sativex® - cannabinoid extract*

Part II. CD Anab POM
contains most anabolic and androgenic steroids, clenbuterol and growth hormones

Question 22

The sativex spray (CD schedule 4) what is it composed of?

Answer 22

• Two cannabinoids

CBD, cannabidiol and THC, delta 9 tetrahydrocannabinol

Question 23

Sativex is a CD Schedule 4 drug. How is it administered?

Answer 23

metered dose oromucosal spray