Controlled Drugs Resources

Guidance and information on controlled drugs in primary care.

Cannabis

Controlled Drug Assurance Process (including Practice CD review visits)

Legislation and changes

Useful links to legislation information:

• Health Act 2006 – Legislation.gov.uk
• The Controlled Drugs (Supervision of Management and Use) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009
• The Controlled Drugs (Supervision of Management and Use) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015
• The Misuse of Drugs (Designation) Order (Northern Ireland) 2001
• List of Drugs currently controlled under The Misuse of Drugs Legislation
• Legislation around medicine regulation

Opioid Substitution Treatment

Practice management of controlled drugs

• The Safer Management of Controlled Drugs – A Guide to Good Practice in Primary Care (Northern Ireland) – May 2013

Private prescriptions for controlled drugs

The majority of CD prescribing by health practitioners will be carried out under the Health Service (HS), however there may be occasions when private or non-HS prescribing is required for either stock and/or named patients.

Please note that these arrangements apply to Northern Ireland only and practitioners working elsewhere should seek local guidance about private CD prescribing.

1. Named Patients
   If it is necessary to prescribe a Schedule 2 or 3 controlled drug in a private capacity for a named patient, prescribers must use a PCD1 form.  Any prescriber wishing to obtain a pad of PCD1 forms needs to complete a PCD1 application form and return it to: pcd1applications@hscni.net, or by post to Directorate of Integrated Care, 12-22 Linenhall Street, Belfast.
2. Stock
   If Schedule 2 or 3 CD stock is required for private or non-HS purposes, a CDRF1 must be completed.*The form together with guidance notes for use (on reverse) can be downloaded below. A CDRF1 form should be downloaded each time it is required.

Before completing a PCD1 application form, or a CDRF1 form, prescribers /organisations should read the resources below.

Private Controlled Drugs – Information for Community Pharmacists

Stock prescriptions

See also ‘Private Prescriptions for Controlled Drugs’ for information on private stock requisitions.

Storage and destruction of CDs