Sale of substances included in Schedule 1 to the Poisons Rules
Pharmacists are reminded of the need to exercise caution when requested to supply a substance
included in Schedule 1 to the Poisons Rules.
Schedule 1 poisons may be sold only if the purchaser is known to the pharmacist as a person
to whom the poison may properly be sold or if the purchaser presents a "certificate for the purchase
of a non-medicinal poison". This certificate must be signed by a householder, certifying the
purchaser to be a person to whom the poison can be properly sold. If the householder is not known
to the pharmacist as a responsible person of good character, the certificate must be endorsed
by a police officer in charge of a police station. The pharmacist must retain the certificate
for two years from the date of supply.
A pharmacist may not supply a Schedule 1 poison until an entry has been made in the poisons
register and the purchaser has signed it. The poisons register must be kept for two years from
the date of the last entry.
Where a purchaser requires a Schedule 1 poison for his trade, business or profession, the pharmacist
may accept a signed order in lieu of the purchaser's signature. the pharmacist must be satisfied
that the purchaser carries on the trade, business or profession stated and that the signature
is genuine.
A signed order need not be dated, but the entry in the poisons register must be dated and must
include the words "signed order" in place of the signature. The entry must be identified by a
reference number. In an emergency, the supplier can deliver the poison on the undertaking that
a signed order will be furnished within the following 72 hours, although in practice it is unlikely
that this situation would arise.
Further information on the Poisons Rules and examples of permits and certificates can be found
on pages 55 to 58 of the current (26th) edition of 'Medicines, ethics and practice: a guide for
pharmacists'.
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