CD Law

Question 1

Which CDs are included in Schedule 2?

Answer 1

Opiates (diamorphine, morphine, oxycodone, methadone, pethidine), major stimulants (amphetamines, methylphenidate), quinalbarbitone, ketamine.

Question 2

Which CDs are included in Schedule 3?

Answer 2

Minor stimulants, buprenorphine, temazepam, tramadol, midazolam, phenobarbital, gabapentin, pregabalin.

Question 3

Which Schedule 3 CDs do not require safe custody (i.e. they aren’t required to be kept in the CD cabinet)?

Answer 3

Phenobarbital, mazindol, meprobamate, midazolam, tramadol, pentazocine, phentermine, gabapentin, pregabalin.

Question 4

When where gabapentin and pregabalin rescheduled as Schedule 3 CDs?

Answer 4

1st April 2019.

Question 5

How is Schedule 4 split?

Answer 5

Into CD Benz POM (Part 1) and CD Anab POM (Part 2).

Question 6

Which CDs are included in Schedule 4 Part 1?

Answer 6

Most of the benzodiazepines, non-benzodiazepine hypnotics (e.g. zopiclone), Sativex (cannabinoid spray).

Question 7

Which CDs are included in Schedule 4 Part 2?

Answer 7

Most anabolic and androgenic steroids, clenbuterol, growth hormones.

Question 8

Which CDs are included in Schedule 5?

Answer 8

Preparations of certain CDs exempt from full control due to their presence being in particularly low strengths.

Question 9

Prescriptions for which schedules are exempt from CD prescription requirements?

Answer 9

Schedules 4 and 5.

Question 10

Prescriptions for which schedules have a validity of 28 days?

Answer 10

Schedules 2, 3 and 4.

Question 11

Prescriptions for which schedules require the prescribers address to be from within the UK?

Answer 11

Schedules 2 and 3.

Question 12

Which schedules can be legally prescribed by EEA and Swiss prescribers?

Answer 12

Schedules 4 and 5.

Question 13

Prescriptions for which schedules are able to be repeated should the prescriber write this on the prescription?

Answer 13

Schedules 4 and 5.

Question 14

Which schedules are able to be supplied as an emergency supply?

Answer 14

Schedules 4 and 5.

Question 15

Which Schedule 3 CD is exempt from emergency supply restrictions?

Answer 15

Phenobarbital for epilepsy requested by a UK registered prescriber.

Question 16

If a patient currently using CDs for medical purposes intends to travel abroad, to which organisation should they be signposted for advice?

Answer 16

The Home Office and NHS website.

Question 17

What are the legal requirements for a CD requisition?

Answer 17

Signature of the recipient, name of the recipient, address of the recipient, profession/occupation, total quantity of the drug, purpose of the requisition.

Question 18

Which organisations are exempt from the requirements for CD requisitions?

Answer 18

Hospices and prisons.

Question 19

Are supplied of CDs against a faxed or photocopied form legally valid?

Answer 19

No.

Question 20

In an emergency, a doctor or dentist can be supplied with a Schedule 2 or 3 CD. What is required in this instance?

Answer 20

A requisition will be supplied within the next 24 hours. Failure to do so is an offence on the behalf of the HCP.

Question 21

Where CDs are collected by a messenger on behalf of the purchaser, what is required?

Answer 21

A written authorisation provided to the supplying pharmacist empowering the messenger to receive the medicines on behalf of the purchaser.

Question 22

What must be done when CD requisitions are received?

Answer 22

They must be indelibly marked with the supplier’s name and address. Stamps must be clear and legible. The original form must be sent to the relevant NHS agency. A copy should be retained for 2 years (Good Practice).

Question 23

Which CDs can a midwife obtain?

Answer 23

Diamorphine, morphine, pethidine.

Question 24

What must be included on a CD order made by a midwife?

Answer 24

Name, occupation, name of the patient, purpose, total quantity, signature of medical officer appointed to oversee midwives in the area.

Question 25

What is required to be present on a CD prescription?

Answer 25

Signature, date, prescribers address, dose, form, strength, total quantity (W&F), name of patient, address of patient, for dental use (if applicable), instalment direction (if applicable).

Question 26

What do the DoH recommend with regards to prescribed quantity of CDs?

Answer 26

They should not exceed 30 days (not a legal req.).

Question 27

How many missed doses of an instalment CD would require you to refuse supply and inform the prescriber?

Answer 27

Usually three (or whatever the local agreement states).

Question 28

What amendments can pharmacists make to technical errors on CD prescriptions?

Answer 28

Minor typographical errors, spelling mistakes, omission of either words or figures (not both).

Question 29

What must also be included when a pharmacist makes minor amendments to a CD prescription?

Answer 29

Name, date, signature, GPhC reg. number.

Question 30

Can amendments be made to a CD prescription in the form of a cover letter?

Answer 30

No.

Question 31

What is required when a CD is prescribed privately?

Answer 31

The prescription must be on a standard form, the prescriber must include their identification number (issued by the NHS).

Question 32

Do veterinary CD prescriptions need to be on standardised forms?

Answer 32

No.

Question 33

Fow how long should veterinary prescriptions for CDs need to be retained?

Answer 33

5 years.

Question 34

Which Schedule 3 CDs require safe custody?

Answer 34

Temazepam and buprenorphine.

Question 35

Which schedule CDs require denaturing before disposal?

Answer 35

Schedules 2, 3 and 4 (Part 1).

Question 36

In what circumstances do CDs being denatures require the presence of an authorised witness?

Answer 36

When the stock is expired, unwanted, or obsolete. NOT patient returns.

Question 37

Which schedule of CDs should be entered into the CD returns book?

Answer 37

Schedule 2.

Question 38

Which schedule of CDs require a CD register entry?

Answer 38

Schedule 2 and Sativex.

Question 39

What must be included in the CD register when CDs are received?

Answer 39

Date, name and address of supplier, quantity.

Question 40

What must be included in the CD register when CDs are supplied?

Answer 40

Date, name and address of recipient, details of authority to possess (prescriber details), quantity, details of person collecting, was proof of identity requested, was proof of identity shown.