Your guide to Pharmacy Law and Ethics
Understand the legal requirements for controlled drugs, including prescribing, storage, record-keeping, and compliance with CD schedules.
Sativex (nabiximols) is a prescription-only cannabis-based medicine used to treat moderate to severe spasticity in multiple sclerosis. Although it contains controlled substances (THC and CBD), it is not treated like traditional cannabis or other high-risk controlled drugs. Instead, Sativex has a unique legal classification: it sits in Schedule 4 Part 1 of the Misuse of […]
Record Keeping and Controlled Drugs Registers 🔒 What’s Legally Required? Under the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001, a Controlled Drugs register must be maintained for all Schedule 1 and Schedule 2 Controlled Drugs (CDs) received or supplied by a pharmacy. Best Practice: Recording Other Controlled Drugs in the CD Register While the Misuse of Drugs […]
Destruction of Controlled Drugs: Legal and Professional Requirements Pharmacies and healthcare organisations in the UK must comply with strict legal and environmental rules when disposing of controlled drugs (CDs). This includes denaturing the drugs before disposal and, in certain cases, arranging for witnessed destruction and record keeping. ⚖️ Legal Requirement: Denaturing Before Disposal According to […]
Safe Custody of Controlled Drugs: Legal Storage Standards in UK Pharmacies The Misuse of Drugs (Safe Custody) Regulations 1973 set legal standards for how certain Controlled Drugs (CDs) must be stored to prevent unauthorised access. This article outlines what is required by law, what is best practice, and how to manage CD storage in pharmacies, […]
Collection and Delivery of Controlled Drugs: Legal and Best Practice Requirements Pharmacies in the UK must follow specific legal and professional standards when supplying Controlled Drugs (CDs), especially those in Schedule 2. This article outlines what is legally required when a patient, representative, or healthcare professional collects a CD, as well as how home deliveries […]
Legal Requirements for Prescribing Controlled Drugs (Schedules 1–5) This guide outlines all legally required prescription elements for UK Controlled Drugs (CDs) across Schedules 1–5. It clearly differentiates between what is legally required and what is considered best practice. 📚 Schedules Covered ✅ Legal Requirements for Prescriptions – Schedule 2 and 3 CDs Prescriptions must include […]
Controlled Drug Requisitions: Legal Requirements for Schedules 1, 2 and 3 Pharmacy professionals must follow strict legal requirements when obtaining controlled drugs (CDs) for stock. This article outlines when a mandatory requisition form must be used to obtain Schedule 1, 2, or 3 CDs, and includes guidance on processing, exemptions, and special cases such as […]
Import and Export of Controlled Drugs: Pharmacy and Patient Considerations Pharmacy professionals in the UK are often asked about the legal requirements around importing and exporting controlled drugs (CDs), both for pharmacy operations and for patients travelling internationally. The rules differ depending on the CD schedule and whether the movement is personal or commercial. Import/Export […]
The administration of Controlled Drugs (CDs) in the UK is strictly regulated under the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 and other healthcare legislation. Only specific healthcare professionals and authorized individuals can administer CDs, and they must follow legal and professional standards. 1. Who Can Legally Administer Controlled Drugs? Category Legal Authority Examples Relevant Legislation Doctors […]
The supply of Controlled Drugs (CDs) in the UK is strictly regulated under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001. Only authorized individuals and entities can supply CDs, and they must adhere to legal requirements concerning prescriptions, record-keeping, and security. 1. Categories of Individuals and Entities That Can Supply […]