Controlled Drugs

Question 1

Which legislation imposes prohibitions on the possession, supply, manufacture, import, and export of CDs?

Answer 1

Misuse of Drugs Act 1971

Question 2

Which legislation details the safe custody and storage requirements?

Answer 2

Misuse of drugs regulations 1973

Question 3

What are the terms for schedule 1 drugs (CD Lic POM)?

Answer 3

• no therapeutic use - license required for possession, supply and production
• e.g. hallucogenics (LSD), ecstasy, raw opium, cannabis

Question 4

What are the terms for schedule 2 drugs (CD POM)?

Answer 4

• pharmacists and others have general authority to possess, supply and procure these drugs

Question 5

Which drugs are part of schedule 2?

Answer 5

• Opiates, major stimulants, quinalbarbitone, ketamine

Question 6

Which drugs fall under the schedule 3 category (CD no register POM)?

Answer 6

• Gaba and pregab NEW

- minor stimulants, buprenorphine, temazepam, tramadol, midazolam, phenobarbital

Question 7

Which drugs fall under the schedule 4 category? (CD Benz POM or CD Anab POM)?

Answer 7

part 1: benzos, non-benzo hypnotics e.g. zopiclone and sativex (cannabinoid)

part 2: anabolic and androgenic steroids as well as clenbuterol and growth hormones

Question 8

What are the prescription requirements for CDs?

Answer 8

• dose
• formulation
• strength
• total quantity in words and figures
• quantity prescribed - no more than 30 days recommended unless clinical reason suggested
• ‘for dental use only’ where appropriate
• instalment wording where appropriate

Question 9

Which CDs require prescription requirements?

Answer 9

2 and 3

Question 10

Which schedules are valid for 28 days?

Answer 10

2, 3, 4 part 1, 4 part 2

Question 11

Which schedules are valid for 6 months?

Answer 11

5

Question 12

Which schedules require the address of the UK prescriber?

Answer 12

2 and 3

Question 13

Which schedules allow for repeat prescriptions?

Answer 13

4 and 5

Question 14

Which schedules can be given as emergency supply?

Answer 14

4 and 5

Question 15

What schedule 3 drug is an exception for emergency supply?

Answer 15

• phenobarbital
• licensed for epilepsy
• UK registered prescriber

Question 16

Which invoices need to be retained for at least 2 years?

Answer 16

Schedule 3 and 5

Question 17

Which schedule does not need a license for import/export?

Answer 17

schedule 5

all of the others do

Question 18

Under which circumstances are pharmacists allowed to be in possession of schedule 1 drugs?

Answer 18

• for destruction

- to hand over to the police

Question 19

When is a license needed to import/export drugs?

Answer 19

For schedules 1 to 4 part 1

Question 20

Is a license needed for schedule 4 part 2?

Answer 20

yes unless import/export is for self administration

Question 21

What are the legal requirements for CD requisition: FP10CDF forms?

Answer 21

1. Signature of the Recipient
2. Name of the Recipient
3. Address of the Recipient
4. Profession or Occupation
5. Total Quantity of Drug
6. Purpose of the Requisition
7. On processing, the supplier (pharmacy) must stamp or sign indelibly and send original to NHS

Question 22

How long does the original requisition need to be retained for?

Answer 22

• 2 years

- vet - 5 years

Question 23

Who is exempt from using an approved CD requisition form?

Answer 23

prisons and hospices

Question 24

Are faxed copies of CD requisition acceptable?

Answer 24

no

Question 25

When can a drug be supplied without a requisition form?

Answer 25

- in an emergency | - form must be obtained within 24 hours though

Question 26

What controlled drugs can a midwife order using a midwife supply order?

Answer 26

- diamorphine - morphine - pethidine

Question 27

What must the midwife order contain?

Answer 27

o Name of the midwife o Occupation of the midwife o Name of the person to whom the CD is to be administered or supplied o Total quantity of the drug to be obtained o Signature of an appropriate medical officer

Question 28

What must a CD instalment include?

Answer 28

- amount of medicine per instalment | - interval between each time the medicine can be supplied

Question 29

What errors can pharmacists amend on a CD script?

Answer 29

- quantity - words and figures NOT BOTH

Question 30

What errors can't pharmacists amend on a CD script?

Answer 30

- missing date | - incorrect dose, form, strength

Question 31

What are the requirements for schedule 2/3 private prescription CDs?

Answer 31

1. Standardised Form – unless vet rx or prescribed and issued under same entity i.e. hospital a. FP10CDF – Local NHS England area team b. PPCD (1) – Scotland NHS health board c. WP10PCD -Welsh 2. Prescriber Identification Number 3. Submission: must submit original private prescription to relevant NHS agency 4. Should not prescribe regular POMs on the same form as the form needs to be sent to NHS, does not allow private RX to be retained for 2 years then

Question 32

If someone else is collecting a CD prescription on behalf of someone else, what can a pharmacist ask?

Answer 32

- i.d of person collecting - representative should have a letter authorising collection and naming representative - ID should also be requested - separate letter should be obtained each time - supervised dose - not a legal requirement. check with prescriber verbally if its ok to hand over instalment to representative

Question 33

When controlled drugs get destroyed, when is a witness required?

Answer 33

If the drug is schedule 2

Question 34

How do you dispose of ampoules and vials?

Answer 34

- open up and empty the contents into a CD denaturing kit

Question 35

Which schedule 4 requires record keeping?

Answer 35

Sativex - sch 4 part 1

Question 36

What should a record for receiving consist of?

Answer 36

date supply received, name and address from whom supplied, quantity supplied

Question 37

What should a record for supplying consist of?

Answer 37

date supplied, name & address of recipient, details of authority to possess, quantity supplied, details of person collecting

Question 38

What does it mean if a product says “use by” or “use before” ?

Answer 38

the product should be used before the end of the previous month.