Controlled Drugs and Their Classifications

Controlled Drugs - Schedules

• Preparations containing a low strength of CDs do not require safe custody or entry in the CD register.
• Invoices for these preparations must be kept for two years.
• These preparations may be manufactured and compounded by practitioners, pharmacists, or licence holders.
• No authority is needed for their destruction.

Dihydrocodeine

• Dihydrocodeine tartrate is available in various formulations:
  • 50mg/mL injection [CD POM]
  • 30mg tablets [CD Inv POM]
  • 7.46mg tablets [CD Inv P] (marketed as Paramol® tabs, containing dihydrocodeine and paracetamol)
• If dihydrocodeine is for parenteral use, it is classified as a CD POM.
• If dihydrocodeine is for non-parenteral use and has a maximum strength of 100mg (base), it is classified as CD Inv POM.

Relationship between Schedule and Class

• Cannabis and Cannabis resin are classified as Schedule 1 and Class B.
• Diamorphine is classified as Schedule 2 and Class A.
• Temazepam is classified as Schedule 3 and Class C.
• Phenobarbital is classified as Schedule 3 and Class B.
• Raw Opium is classified as Schedule 1 and Class A.
• Flunitrazepam is classified as Schedule 3 and Class C.
• Nitrazepam is classified as Schedule 4 (part 1) and Class C.

Common Controlled Drugs (CDs)

• Schedule 2: Diamorphine, Methadone, Morphine, Oxycodone, Pethidine
• Schedule 3: Buprenorphine, Gabapentin, Pentazocine, Phenobarbital, Pregabalin, Temazepam, Tramadol
• Schedule 4 (Part 1): Diazepam, Lorazepam, Nitrazepam, Zopiclone, Zolpidem
• Schedule 5: Codeine, Dihydrocodeine, Morphine, Pholcodine (withdrawn)

Schedule 3 [CD No Reg POM]

• Includes barbiturates (e.g., phenobarbital), buprenorphine, temazepam, and gabapentin.
• Less likely to be misused than Schedule 2 drugs.
• Safe custody requirements apply, except for temazepam, diethylpropion, buprenorphine, and flunitrazepam.
• New drugs added to schedule 3 require safe custody, unless exempt.
• Controls are similar to Schedule 2, with differences in:
  • Who can possess and supply them.
  • Less strict destruction requirements.
  • No record is needed in the CD register.
• Invoices must be retained for two years.

Schedule 4 CDs

• Part I [CD Benz POM]: Contains most benzodiazepines (e.g., diazepam, nitrazepam) and ‘z’ hypnotics.
• Part II [CD Anab POM]: Contains most anabolic, androgenic steroids and growth hormones.
• CD prescription and labeling requirements do not apply, except for prescription validity being limited to 28 days.
• HMR 2012 prescription requirements for POMs apply.
• No safe custody requirements.
• No requirement to keep records of supply.
• No destruction requirements for pharmacies.
• No restriction on possession of schedule 4 part II drugs when contained in a medicinal product.

Schedule 5 [CD Inv POM / P]

• Contains dilute preparations of drugs in Schedule 2.

Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs

• Advises the government on controlled drug misuse.
• Includes people with experience in:
  • Medicine
  • Dentistry
  • Veterinary medicine
  • Pharmacy
  • Pharmaceutical industry
  • Chemistry
• Other roles include:
  • Public education
  • Promoting research
  • Promoting cooperation between professional groups.

Class A Drugs

• Most harmful drugs with the severest penalties.
• Includes:
  • Cocaine
  • Diamorphine
  • LSD
  • Opium
  • MDMA
  • Magic mushrooms (fresh or dried)
  • Methylamphetamine
  • Morphine
  • Methadone
• Penalties for possession: Up to 7 years in prison or an unlimited fine.
• Penalties for dealing: Up to life imprisonment or an unlimited fine.

Class B Drugs

• Less severe penalties than Class A.
• Includes:
  • Oral amphetamines (methylamphetamine is Class A)
  • Barbiturates
  • Codeine
  • Dihydrocodeine
  • Methylphenidate
  • Ketamine
  • Cannabis
• Penalties for possession: Up to 5 years in prison or an unlimited fine.
• Penalties for dealing: Up to 14 years in prison or an unlimited fine.

Class C Drugs

• Less severe penalties than Class B.
• Includes:
  • Benzodiazepines (e.g., diazepam, midazolam, temazepam)
  • GHB
  • Tramadol
  • Zopiclone
  • Khat
  • Buprenorphine
  • Anabolic steroids
• Safe custody applies to patient returned CDs, out-of-date CDs, and obsolete CDs until destruction, if they are normally required to be kept under safe custody.