Controlled Drugs FAQ’s

Controlled Drugs (commonly referred to as CDs) are those capable of being abused. They are defined in the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and Schedules 1-5 of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001.

The bottle label will identify if the drug is a Controlled Drug and provide details of the Controlled Drug schedule. Examples of Controlled Drugs include: – Immobilon – Morphine – Diamorphine – Pethidine – Methadone – Phenobarbitone.

A list detailing Controlled Drugs can be downloaded from http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/alcohol-drugs/drugs/drug-licences/controlled-drugs-list

Controlled Drugs should be stored in a locked storage unit and the purchasing, dispensing and disposal of Controlled Drugs should be recorded in the practice’s Controlled Drugs Register.

The denaturing of Schedule 2 Controlled Drugs should be witnessed by:

• an Animal Medicines Inspectorate (AMI)
• RCVS Practice Standards Scheme Inspector
• a veterinary surgeon who is independent of the practice concerned, or
• another person authorised to witness the destruction of controlled drugs under the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 such as a Police Officer.

A record must be made of the date and quantity of Controlled Drugs denatured, which the witness must sign. It is also best practice to record the name of the Controlled Drug, form, strength and quantity, date it was denatured and the signature of the witness and the professional denaturing it.

Providing that there is NOT a recoverable amount of medicine contained within the bottle or vial the contaminated Controlled Drugs container can be disposed of in a Medicines bin.

Please note that all Controlled Drugs should be denatured using a Controlled Drugs Denaturing Kit.