The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 276 No 7382 p21
7 January 2006

Society summary

An occasional feature, prepared in the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s Professional Standards Directorate, to highlight problems and inquiries currently being handled

Law and Ethics Bulletin, 2001 to present

• Ketamine becomes a Class C Controlled Drug
• Extended formulary nurse prescribers and Controlled Drugs

Ketamine becomes a Class C Controlled Drug

Pharmacists are advised that, as of 1 January 2006, an amendment to the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 classifies ketamine as a Class C Controlled Drug. A corresponding change has also been made to the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001, which classifies ketamine as a Schedule 4, Part 1 Controlled Drug. Pharmacists should refer to p25 of ‘Medicines, ethics and practice: a guide for pharmacists’ (29th edition) for a summary of the legal requirements for Schedule 4, Part 1 CDs.

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Extended formulary nurse prescribers and Controlled Drugs

Further to the guidance printed in The Pharmaceutical Journal on 12 November 2005 (p617), pharmacists are notified that an amendment has been made to the Prescription Only Medicines (Human Use) Order 1997. From 6 January 2006, Extended formulary nurse prescribers can prescribe, administer or supply the following CDs, solely for the medical conditions indicated:

· Diamorphine, diazepam, lorazepam, midazolam, morphine and oxycodone for use in palliative care

· Buprenorphine and fentanyl for transdermal use in palliative care

· Diamorphine and morphine for pain relief in respect of suspected myocardial infarction or for relief of acute or severe pain after trauma, including in either case post-operative pain relief

· Chlordiazepoxide hydrochloride and diazepam for treatment of initial or acute alcohol withdrawal symptoms

· Codeine phosphate, dihydrocodeine tartrate and co-phenotrope (no restrictions on medical conditions)