Category: Record-keeping requirements

Explore the legal obligations for maintaining records, including controlled drugs, private prescriptions, and patient medication records.

Controlled drugs Prescription requirements Record-keeping requirements

Sativex

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 Drugs Regulations 2001, but with some extra rules not normally applied to other drugs in that category.

🗂️ See official UK Government policy announcement on Sativex scheduling (gov.uk)

Record-keeping requirements Veterinary medicines

Record Keeping for Veterinary Medicines

Pharmacies supplying POM-V (Prescription Only Medicine – Veterinarian) and POM-VPS (Prescription Only Medicine – Veterinarian, Pharmacist, Suitably Qualified Person) medicines are legally required to keep certain records under the Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2013 (VMR 2013).

For each receipt and supply of a POM-V or POM-VPS medicine, the following details must be recorded:

All premises that retail POM-V or POM-VPS medicines must carry out an annual audit of stock and records, to ensure that:

Controlled drugs Record-keeping requirements

Classification of Controlled Drugs

Controlled Drugs (CDs) are classified into five schedules under the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 (SI 2001 No. 3998). Each schedule has different legal requirements governing possession, supply, prescription, storage, and record-keeping. The classification is based on potential for misuse, medical use, and risk of dependence.

This guidance provides an overview of the classification system for Controlled Drugs. Pharmacists must be aware of the specific legal requirements for each schedule to ensure compliance with the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001.