S.I. No. 173/2017 - Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2017

• (b) the prescription complies with the requirements of Regulations 7(1) or 7A(1) of the Medicinal Products (Prescription and Control of Supply) Regulations 2003 (as amended and inserted by Regulations 4 and 5 of the Medicinal Products (Prescription and Control of Supply) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2014 ( S.I. No. 504 of 2014 ) res-pectively), as appropriate, or, in the case of an animal remedy, Regulation 43 of the European Communities (Animal Remedies) (No. 2) Regulations 2007 ( S.I. No. 786 of 2007 ) (as amended by Regulation 2(c) and (d) of the European Communities (Animal Remedies) (Amendment) Regulations 2014 ( S.I. No. 162 of 2014 )), and

• (c) the supply is made not later than the date specified in Regulation 7(5)(a) of the Medicinal Products (Prescription and Control of Supply) Regulations 2003 or, in the case of an animal remedy, the date specified in Regulation 43(7)(c) of the European Communities (Animal Remedies) (No. 2) Regulations 2007.

• (3) Notwithstanding Regulations 15 and 16, a prescription for a controlled drug specified in Schedule 2 or 3, written and issued before the commencement of these Regulations in accordance with Regulation 13 of the Regulations of 1988, shall be deemed to be written and issued in accordance with Regulation 15 for the purpose of supply in accordance with Regulation 16 of these Regulations.

SCHEDULE 1

• (a) N-(Adamantan-1-yl)-1-(5-fluoropentyl)-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide (otherwise known as Clockwork Orange, 5F AKB48)

5-(2-Aminopropyl) indole (otherwise known as 5-IT)

1-(1,3-Benzodioxol-5-yl)-2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-1-pentanone

N-(1-Benzyl-4-piperidyl) propionanilide

2-(4-Bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-N-[(2-methoxyphenyl) methyl]ethanamine (otherwise known as 25B-NBOMe)

1-(4-Bromofuro[2,3-f][1]benzofuran-8-yl) propan-2-amine (otherwise known as BromodragonFLY)

Bufotenine

Cannabinol, except where contained in Cannabis or cannabis resin

Cannabinol derivatives

Cannabis (not being a preparation specified in paragraph 5 of Schedule 4 Part 1)

Cannabis resin

Cathinone

2-(4-Chloro-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-N-[(2-methoxyphenyl) methyl]ethanamine (otherwise known as 25C-NBOMe)

1-Cyclohexyl-4-(1,2-diphenylethyl) piperazine (otherwise known as MT-45)

Coca leaf

Concentrate of poppy straw

3,4-Dichloro-N-[[1-(dimethylamino) cyclohexyl]methyl]benzamide (otherwise known as AH-7921)

[2,3–Dihydro-5-methyl-3-(4-morpholinylmethyl) pyrrolo[1,2,3-de]-1,4-benzoxazin-6-yl]-1-naphthalenylmethanone

N,N-Diethyltryptamine

2,5-Dimethoxy-α,4-dimethylphenethylamine

N,N-Dimethyltryptamine

3-Dimethylheptyl-11-hydroxyhexahydrocannabinol

Eticyclidine

Etryptamine

1-(2-Fluorophenyl)-2-methylaminopropan-1-one

1-(3-Fluorophenyl)-2-methylaminopropan-1-one

1-(4-Fluorophenyl)-2-methylaminopropan-1-one

9-(Hydroxymethyl)-6,6-dimethyl-3-(2-methyloctan-2-yl)-6a,7,10,10a-tetrahydrobenzo[c]chromen-1-ol

[9-Hydroxy-6-methyl-3-[5-phenylpentan-2-yl]oxy-5,6,6a,7,8,9,10,10a-octahydrophenanthridin-1-yl]acetate

N-Hydroxy-tenamphetamine

2-(4-Iodo-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-N-[(2-methoxyphenyl) methyl]ethanamine (otherwise known as 25I-NBOMe)

Khat (being the leaves of Catha edulis (Celastraceae))

Lysergamide

Lysergide and other N-alkyl derivatives of lysergamide

Mescaline

Methcathinone

2-(3-Methoxyphenyl)-2-(ethylamino) cyclohexanone (otherwise known asmethoxetamine)

1-(4-Methoxyphenyl)-2-(methylamino) propan-1-one

Methyl (2S,4aR,6aR,7R,10aS,10bR)-9-acetyloxy-2-(furan-3-yl)-6a,10b-dimethyl-4,10-dioxo-2,4a,5,6,7,8,9,10a-octahydro-1H-benzo[f]isochromene-7-carboxylate (otherwise known as Salvinorin A) and any product, whether natural or otherwise, including any plant or plant material of any kind or description, which contains any proportion of the said substance

2-Methylamino-1-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl) butan-1-one

2-Methylamino-1-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl) propan-1-one

4-Methyl-aminorex

Methyl 2-[[1-(cyclohexylmethyl) indole-3-carbonyl]amino]-3,3-dimethylbutanoate (otherwise known as MDMB CHMICA)

Methyl (E)-2-[(2S,3S,7aS,12bS)-3-ethyl-7a-hydroxy-8-methoxy-2,3,4,6,7,12b-hexahydro-1H-indolo[2,3a]quinolizin-2-yl]-3-methoxyprop-2-enoate (otherwise known as 7-Hydroxymitragynine) and any product, whether natural or otherwise, including any plant or plant material of any kind or description, which contains any proportion of the said substance

Methyl (E)-2-[(2S,3S,12bS)-3-ethyl-8-methoxy-1,2,3,4,6,7,12,12b- octahydroindolo[2,3a]quinolizin-2-yl]-3-methoxyprop-2-enoate(otherwise known as Mitragynine) and any product, whether natural or otherwise, including any plant or plant material of any kind or description, which contains any proportion of the said substance

4-Methyl-5-(4-methylphenyl)-4,5-dihydro-1,3-oxazol-2-amine(otherwise known as 4,4’-DMAR)

α-Methyl-4-(methylthio) phenethylamine

1-(4-Methylphenyl)-2-methylaminopropan-1-one

Psilocin

Quinolin-8-yl 1-(5-fluoropentyl)-1H-indole-3-carboxylate (otherwiseknown as Clockwork Orange, PB22)

Raw opium

Rolicyclidine

Tenocyclidine

N-[1-(2-Thenyl)-4-piperidyl]propionanilide

• (b) Any substance (not being bupropion, diethylpropion or pyrovalerone) structurally derived from 2-amino-1-phenyl-1-propanone by modification in any of the following ways:

• (i) by substitution in the phenyl ring to any extent with alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, alkylenedioxy, haloalkyl or halo substituents, whether or not further substituted in the phenyl ring by one or more other univalent substituents;

• (ii) by substitution at the 2- or 3-position of the propanone side-chain with an alkyl substituent;

• (iii) by substitution at the nitrogen atom with one or more alkyl or dialkyl groups, or by inclusion of the nitrogen atom in a cyclic structure.

• (c) Any substance structurally derived from 2-amino-1-propanone by substitution at the 1-position with any monocyclic, or fused-polycyclic ring system (not being a phenyl ring or alkylenedioxyphenyl ring system), whether or not the substance is further modified in any of the following ways:

• (i) by substitution in the ring system to any extent with alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, haloalkyl or halo substituents, whether or not further substituted in the ring system by one or more other univalent substituents;

• (ii) by substitution at the 3-position with an alkyl substituent;

• (iii) by substitution at the 2-amino nitrogen atom with one or more alkyl or dialkyl groups, or by inclusion of the 2-amino nitrogen atom in a cyclic structure.

• (d) Any substance structurally derived from 3-(1-benzoyl) indole or 3-(1-naphthoyl) indole by modification in any of the following ways:

• (i) by substitution at the nitrogen atom of the indole ring by alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkylmethyl, cycloalkylethyl or 2-(4-morpholinyl) ethyl;

• (ii) by replacement of one or more hydrogen atoms of any of the substituents referred to in clause (i), with a halo substituent;

whether or not further substituted in the indole ring to any extent and whether or not substituted in the phenyl or naphthyl ring to any extent.

• (e) 1-Benzylpiperazine or any substance (not being a substance specified in Schedule 3) structurally derived from 1-benzylpiperazine or 1-phenylpiperazine by modification in any of the following ways:

• (i) by substitution at the second nitrogen atom of the piperazine ring with alkyl, benzyl, haloalkyl or phenyl groups;

• (ii) by substitution in the aromatic ring to any extent with alkyl, alkoxy, alkylenedioxy, halo or haloalkyl groups.

• (f) Any substance (not being a substance specified in Schedule 2) structurally derived from fentanyl by modification in one or more of the following ways, that is to say:

• (i) by replacement of the phenyl portion of the phenethyl group by any heteromonocycle whether or not further substituted in the heterocycle;

• (ii) by substitution in the phenethyl group with alkyl, alkenyl, alkoxy, hydroxy, halo, haloalkyl, amino or nitro groups;

• (iii) by substitution in the piperidine ring with alkyl or alkenyl groups;

• (iv) by substitution in the aniline ring with alkyl, alkoxy, alkylenedioxy, halo or haloalkyl groups;

• (v) by substitution at the 4-position of the piperidine ring with any alkoxycarbonyl or alkoxyalkyl or acyloxy group;

• (vi) by replacement of the N-propionyl group by another acyl group.

• (g) Any substance structurally derived from 2-(3-hydroxycyclohexyl) phenol by substitution at the 5-position of the phenolic ring by alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkylmethyl, cycloalkylethyl or 2-(4-morpholinyl) ethyl, whether or not further substituted in the cyclohexyl ring to any extent.

• (h) Any substance structurally derived from 3-(1-naphthoyl) indole or 1H-indol-3-yl-(1-naphthyl) methane by substitution at the nitrogen atom of the indole ring by alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkylmethyl, cycloalkylethyl or 2-(4-morpholinyl) ethyl, whether or not further substituted in the indole ring to any extent and whether or not substituted in the naphthyl ring to any extent.

• (i) Any substance structurally derived from 3-(1-naphthoyl) pyrrole by substitution at the nitrogen atom of the pyrrole ring by alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkylmethyl, cycloalkylethyl or 2-(4-morpholinyl) ethyl, whether or not further substituted in the pyrrole ring to any extent and whether or not substituted in the naphthyl ring to any extent.

• (j) Any substance structurally derived from 1-(1-naphthylmethyl) indene by substitution at the 3-position of the indene ring by alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkylmethyl, cycloalkylethyl or 2-(4-morpholinyl) ethyl, whether or not further substituted in the indene ring to any extent and whether or not substituted in the naphthyl ring to any extent.

• (k) Any substance (not being a substance specified in Schedule 2) structurally derived from pethidine by modification in one or more of the following ways, that is to say:

• (i) by replacement of the 1-methyl group by an acyl, alkyl (whether or not unsaturated), benzyl or phenethyl group, whether or not further substituted;

• (ii) by substitution in the piperidine ring with alkyl or alkenyl groups or with a propano bridge, whether or not further substituted;

• (iii) by substitution in the 4-phenyl ring with alkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, halo or haloalkyl groups;

• (iv) by replacement of the 4-ethoxycarbonyl by any other alkoxycarbonyl or any alkoxyalkyl or acyloxy group;

• (v) by formation of an N-oxide or of a quaternary base.

• (l) Any substance (not being methoxyphenamine) structurally derived from phenethylamine, an N-alkyl-phenethylamine, α-methylphenethylamine, an N-alkyl-α-methylphenethylamine, α-ethylphenethylamine, or an N-alkyl-α-ethylphenethylamine by substitution in the ring to any extent with alkyl, alkoxy, alkylenedioxy or halo substituents, whether or not further substituted in the ring by one or more other univalent substituents.

• (m) Any substance structurally derived from 3-phenylacetylindole by substitution at the nitrogen atom of the indole ring with alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkylmethyl, cycloalkylethyl or 2-(4-morpholinyl) ethyl, whether or not further substituted in the indole ring to any extent and whether or not substituted in the phenyl ring to any extent.

• (n) Any fungus containing any proportion of Psilocin or of an ester of Psilocin.

• (o) 1,2,3,4-Tetrahydronaphthalen-2-amine, 1,2-dihydronaphthalen-2-amine or 2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-2-amine or any substance structurally derived from 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalen-2-amine, 1,2-dihydronaphthalen-2-amine or 2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-2-amine by modification in any of the following ways:

• (i) by substitution in the phenyl ring to any extent with alkyl, alkoxy, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkylthio, alkylenedioxy, haloalkyl, hydroxy or halo substituents, whether or not further substituted by one or more other univalent substituents;

• (ii) by mono- or di-substitution at the nitrogen atom with alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl or haloalkyl groups or by inclusion of the nitrogen atom in a cyclic structure.

• (p) Any substance structurally derived from tryptamine or from a ring-hydroxy tryptamine by substitution at the nitrogen atom of the side-chain with one or more alkyl substituents but no other substituent.

SCHEDULE 2

Acetorphine

Acetylmethadol

Alfentanil

Allylprodine

Alphacetylmethadol

Alphameprodine

Alphamethadol

Alphaprodine

(3-Amino-2,2-dimethylpropyl)4-aminobenzoate (otherwise known as desethyl dimethocaine)

Anileridine

Benzethidine

Benzylmorphine (3-benzylmorphine)

Betacetylmethadol

Betameprodine

Betamethadol

Betaprodine

Bezitramide

Carfentanil

Clonitazene

Cocaine

Codoxime

4-Cyano-2-dimethylamino-4,4-diphenylbutane

4-Cyano-1-methyl-4-phenylpiperidine

Desomorphine

Dextromoramide

Diamorphine

Diampromide

Diethylthiambutene

Difenoxin

Dihydroetorphine

Dihydromorphine

Dimenoxadole

Dimepheptanol

Dimethocaine

Dimethylthiambutene

Dioxaphetyl butyrate

Diphenoxylate

Dipipanone

Drotebanol

Ecgonine, and any derivative of ecgonine which is convertible to ecgonine or to cocaine

Ethylmethylthiambutene

Etonitazene

Etorphine

Etoxeridine

Fentanyl

Furethidine

Hydrocodone

Hydromorphinol

Hydromorphone

Hydroxypethidine

Isomethadone

Ketobemidone

Levomethorphan

Levomoramide

Levophenacylmorphan

Levorphanol

Lofentanil

Medicinal opium

Metazocine

Methadone

(8-Methyl-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3-yl)-4-fluorobenzoate (otherwise known as fluorotropacocaine)

Methyldesorphine

Methyldihydromorphine (6-methyldihydromorphine)

2-Methyl-3-morpholino-1,1-diphenylpropane carboxylic acid

1-Methyl-4-phenylpiperidine-4-carboxylic acid

Metopon

Morpheridine

Morphine

Morphine methobromide, morphine N-oxide and other pentavalent nitrogen morphine derivatives

Myrophine

Nabilone

Nicomorphine

Noracymethadol

Norlevorphanol

Normethadone

Normorphine

Norpipanone

Oripavine

Oxycodone

Oxymorphone

Pethidine

Phenadoxone

Phenampromide

Phenazocine

Phencyclidine

Phenomorphan

Phenoperidine

1-Phenylcyclohexylamine

4-(1-Phenylcyclohexyl) morpholine

4-Phenylpiperidine-4-carboxylic acid ethyl ester

1-Piperidinocyclohexanecarbonitrile.

Piminodine

Piritramide

Proheptazine

Properidine

Racemethorphan

Racemoramide

Racemorphan

Remifentanil

Sufentanil

Tapentadol

Thebacon

Thebaine

4-[1-(2-Thienyl) cyclohexyl]morpholine.

1-[1-(2-Thienyl) cyclohexyl]pyrrolidine

Tilidine

Trimeperidine.

Acetyldihydrocodeine

Amineptine

Amphetamine

Amphetaminil

Benzphetamine

Buprenorphine

Butorphanol

Codeine

Dexamphetamine

Dextropropoxyphene

Dihydrocodeine

N-Ethylamphetamine

Ethylmorphine (3-ethylmorphine)

Fenethylline

Glutethimide

4-Hydroxybutanoic acid

Lefetamine

Lisdexamphetamine

Mecloqualone

Methaqualone

Methylamphetamine

Methylphenidate

Nalbuphine

Nicocodine

Nicodicodine (6-nicotinoyldihydrocodeine)

Norcodeine

Phendimetrazine

Phenmetrazine

Pholcodine

Propiram

Quinalbarbitone

Zipeprol.

SCHEDULE 3

• (a) 2-Benzhydrylpiperidine (otherwise known as desoxypipradrol)

Cathine

1-(3-Chlorophenyl)-4-(3-chloropropyl) piperazine

1-(3-Chlorophenyl) piperazine

Chlorphentermine

Diethylpropion

Ethchlorvynol

Ethinamate

Flunitrazepam

Ketamine

Mazindol

Mephentermine

Meprobamate

Methyprylone

Pemoline

Pentazocine

Phentermine

Pipradrol

Temazepam

• (b) any substance (not being quinalbarbitone) structurally derived from barbituric acid by disubstitution at the 5,5 positions, whether or not there is also substitution at the 1-position by a methyl substituent.

SCHEDULE 4

PART 1

Alprazolam

Bromazepam

Brotizolam

Camazepam

Chlordiazepoxide

Clobazam

Clonazepam

Clorazepic Acid (clorazepate)

Clotiazepam

Cloxazolam

Delorazepam

Diazepam

Estazolam

Ethyl loflazepate

Fludiazepam

Flurazepam

Halazepam

Haloxazolam

Ketazolam

Loprazolam

Lorazepam

Lormetazepam

Medazepam

Midazolam

Nimetazepam

Nitrazepam

Nordazepam

Oxazepam

Oxazolam

Phenazepam

Pinazepam

Prazepam

Tetrazepam

Triazolam

Zaleplon

Zolpidem

Zopiclone.

• (a) is a medicinal product for human use which has been granted a marketing authorisation and which is presented as a liquid formulation for administration to a person through a meter dose pump as a mucosal mouth spray, and

• (b) has a concentration of not more than 30 milligrams of cannabidiol per millilitre, and not more than 30 milligrams of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol per millilitre, where the ratio of cannabidiol to delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol is between 0.7 to 1.3.

PART 2

Aminorex

Fencamfamin

Fenproporex

Mefenorex

Mesocarb

Propylhexedrine

Pyrovalerone

Selegiline

SCHEDULE 5

• (b) The substances to which this paragraph applies are acetyldihydrocodeine, codeine, ethylmorphine (3-ethylmorphine), nicocodine, nicodicodine (6-nicotinoyldihydrocodeine), norcodeine, pholcodine and their respective salts.

SCHEDULE 6 Form of Register

Class of Drug

Product

(Insert name, form, strength and pack size as necessary)

Date on which supply received or transaction effected

Name and address of person from whom obtained or to whom supplied

Authority of person supplied to be in possession

Amount

Stock Balance

Obtained

Supplied

SCHEDULE 7 Form of Register

PART 1 Entries to be made in case of obtaining.

Date on which supply received

Name

Address

Amount obtained

Form in which obtained

Of person or firm from whom

PART 2 Entries to be made in case of supply

Date on which the transaction was effected

Name

Address

Particulars as to licence or authority of person or firm supplied to be in possession

Amount supplied

Form in which supplied

Stock Balance

Of person or firm supplied

SCHEDULE 8 DRUGS WHICH PRACTITIONERS WHO ARE REGISTERED NURSES OR REGISTERED MIDWIVES MAY PRESCRIBE WITHIN SCHEDULES 2 AND 3

PART 1 Drugs for pain relief in hospital

Drug	Route of administration
Buprenorphine	Transdermal
Codeine phosphate	Oral
Dihydrocodeine	Oral
Fentanyl	Intranasal, intravenous, transdermal, transmucosal, subcutaneous, sublingual/buccal
Morphine sulphate	Intramuscular, intravenous, oral, subcutaneous
Morphine tartrate	Intramuscular, intravenous, subcutaneous
Oxycodone	Oral, subcutaneous, intravenous
Pethidine	Intramuscular, intravenous, subcutaneous

PART 2 Drugs for palliative care

Drug	Route of administration
Buprenorphine	Transdermal
Codeine phosphate	Oral
Fentanyl	Intranasal, Intravenous, transdermal, transmucosal, subcutaneous, sublingual/buccal
Hydromorphone	Oral, subcutaneous
Methylphenidate	Oral
Morphine sulphate	Intramuscular, oral, subcutaneous
Morphine tartrate	Intramuscular, subcutaneous
Oxycodone	Oral, subcutaneous

PART 3 Drugs for purposes of midwifery

Drug	Route of administration
Pethidine	Intramuscular

PART 4 Drugs for neonatal care

Drug	Route of administration
Fentanyl	Intravenous, transdermal, transmucosal
Morphine sulphate	Intramuscular, intranasal, intravenous, oral, subcutaneous
Morphine tartrate	Intramuscular, intravenous, subcutaneous

PART 5 Drugs for use in mental health or intellectual disability

Drug	Route of administration
Methylphenidate	Oral

SCHEDULE 9 Provisions of revoked Regulations of 1988 and corresponding provisions in these Regulations

Column 1	Column 2	Column 3	Column 4
Old Number	Old Title	New Number	New Title
1	Citation	1	Citation and Commencement
2	Revocations
3	Interpretation	2	Interpretation
3A	Provisions applicable to practitioners who are registered nurses	3	Provisions applicable to practitioners who are registered nurses or registered midwives
3B	Person may refuse to supply drug if reasonable cause to believe conditions referred to in article 3A have not been satisfied	4	Person may refuse to supply drug if reasonable cause to believe conditions referred to in regulation 3 have not been satisfied
4	General prohibition	5	General prohibition
5	Licences	6	Licences
6	Administration	7	Administration
7	Exemption for practitioners, pharmacists etc.	8	Exemption for practitioners, pharmacists etc.
8	Supply in hospitals etc.	9	Supply
9	General Exemptions	10	General Exemptions
		11	Exemption to possess butan-1,4-diol or dihydrofuran-2(3H)-one
10	Exemption for midwives in respect of pentazocine and pethidine.	12	Exemption for midwives in respect of pentazocine and pethidine.
11	General authorities	13	General authorities
12	Documents to be obtained by a supplier	14	Documents to be obtained by a supplier
13	Form of prescriptions	15	Form of prescriptions
14	Supply on prescriptions	16	Supply on prescription
15	Marking of containers	17	Marking of containers
15A		18	Documents required for export of controlled drugs
16	Keeping of registers for drugs in Schedules 1 and 2	19	Keeping of registers for drugs in Schedules 1 and 2
17	Record-keeping in particular cases for drugs in Schedule 2	20	Record-keeping in particular cases for drugs in Schedule 2
18	Keeping of records for drugs in Schedules 3 and 4	21	Keeping of records for drugs in Schedules 3 and 4
19	Preservation of registers, etc.	22	Preservation of registers, etc.
20	Preservation of records for drugs in schedules 3 and 5	23	Preservation of records for drugs in schedules 3, Part 1 of Schedule 4, and Schedule 5
21	Furnishing of information with respect to controlled drugs	24	Furnishing of information with respect to controlled drugs
22	Destruction of certain drugs	25	Destruction of certain drugs
23	Disposal of certain drugs on cessation of business	26	Disposal of certain drugs on cessation of business
24	Forged, etc. prescriptions	27	Forged, etc. prescriptions
25	Publication, sale, etc. of certain books, periodicals and other publications	28	Publication, sale etc. of certain books, periodicals and other publications
26	Amendment of the Misuse of Drugs (safe Custody) Regulations 1982 ( S.I. No. 321 of 1982 )
		29	References to revoked Regulations of 1988 in other enactments
27	Transitional provisions	30	Transitional provisions

GIVEN under my Hand,

4 May 2017.

CATHERINE BYRNE,

Minister of State at the Department of Health.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Instrument and does not purport to be a legal interpretation.)

These Regulations apply controls to the groups of drugs specified in Schedules 1 to 5 of the Regulations (being drugs to which the Misuse of Drugs Acts 1977 to 2016 apply). The effect of the Regulations is to impose restrictions on the production, supply, importation and exportation of the drugs in question, which vary according to the extent to which these drugs are used for medical or scientific purposes and having regard to the likelihood of their being abused. Appropriate exemptions are provided to cover legitimate use for professional purposes by doctors, pharmacists, nurses and midwives, veterinary practitioners, prison officers, etc. and in other specified circumstances.

In addition to these controls the Regulations specify the classes of persons who may have controlled drugs in their possession and the circumstances in which such possession would not be in contravention of the Act.

The Regulations contain other miscellaneous provisions such as requirements as to the form of prescriptions for controlled drugs, the keeping of books and records, proper documentation relating to export of controlled drugs, arrangements for destruction or disposal of such drugs, and provisions regarding possession of forged prescriptions.

The Regulations also prescribe certain controlled drugs for the purposes of section 5 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1984 .

The Regulations confer authority on certain inspectors, in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, to lawfully possess Cannabis (hemp) in the course of their duties while monitoring and sampling for the purpose of the relevant EU scheme involving the grant of aid for the production of hemp fibre.

Footnotes