Professionalism: Controlled Drugs

Question 1

Schedule 1 (CD Lic)

Answer 1

Hallucinogenic drugs

e.g. LSD, raw opium, cannabis

• most strictly controlled group
• little or no therapeutic use
• limited to research + other special purposes
• license needed from the home secretary

Question 2

Schedule 2 CD

Answer 2

Opiates, Major Stimulants, Quinalbarbitone

e.g. oxycodone, methadone + morphine

• Full controls relating to:
  
  • Rx requirements
  • safe custody
  • record-keeping (e.g. CD register entries)
• License needed for export/import

Question 3

Schedule 3 (CD No Reg)

Answer 3

Barbiturates, Buprenophene, Temazepam, Gabapentin + Pregabalin

• Controls less stringent than for Sch 2
  
  • Rx requirements
  • Safe custody - numerous exemptions
  • CD register NOT required
  • Invoices retained for 2 years
  • Licenses required for import/export

Question 4

Schedule 4 (CD Benz + CD Anab)

Answer 4

CD Benz e.g. benzodiazepines (Xanax, Valium, NOT temazepam Sch 3), Sativex (cannabis extracts)

CD Anab e.g. anabolic steroids, growth hormones

No safe custody

No Rx requirements or records to be kept

Import/export license (not for CD Anab for personal use)

Question 5

Schedule 5 (CD Inv)

Answer 5

Low strength preparations of certain CDs

e.g. co-codamol (paracetamol + codeine)

• P/POM
• Small risk of abuse
• Not include preparations for injections
• Invoices retained for 2 years

Question 6

Unlawful to be in possession of CDs other than in Schedule 5 unless permitted by:

Answer 6

Home Office Licence

Member of group specified by the Home Office

Member of a class of person specified in the regulations e.g. pracitioners, pharmacists

Regulations provide that possession of a drug/group of drugs is lawful

Legally prescribed

Question 7

What Schedules must be Safe Custody?

Answer 7

Schedules 2 + 3 must be kept in locked safe, cabinet or room

Exemptions

• Schedule 2 - quinalbarbitone
• Schedule 3: many (Safe custody applies to Temazepam, Diethylpropion + Buprenorphine)

Question 8

Prescription requirements for drugs in Schedules 2 + 3

Answer 8

Prescriber’s signature

Date (Sch 2,3 + 4)

Address - UK

Dose

Total Quantity

Quantity prescribed

Instalments

Question 9

Collection requirements of Schedule 2 + 3

Answer 9

Obtain signature from person collecting

Instalment prescription

Representative

Requirement to confirm who is collecting

• patient/representative
• HCP

Question 10

Controlled Drugs Register requirements

Answer 10

Must be kept for schedules 1 + 2

Electronic/hand-written form

Fror controlled drugs received:

• Date
• Name + address from whom received
• Quantity received

For controlled drugs supplied:

• Date supplied
• Name + address of recipient
• Details of authority to possess - prescriber or license
• Quantity supplied
• Details of person collecting - patient, patient’s rep, HCP
• Whether proof of identity was requested from collector
• Whether proof of identity was provided

Kept for 2 years following

Kept at premises

Indelible - pen markings that cannot be erased

Chronologically

Question 11

Instalment Prescriptions requirements

Answer 11

• Usual CD Rx requirements
• Date
• Additional detail required:
  
  • amount of instalment
  • specified days
  • care with days of closure e.g. sundays, bank holidays

Maximum 14 days supply (NHS regulations)