2024-02-23 15:03:38
Changes to drug status
The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (Amendment) Order 2024 will come into force on 20 March 2024. It will bring fifteen synthetic opioids, including fourteen nitazenes,under control as Class A drugs under the Act. Article 2(3) of this Order brings cumyl-PeGaClone,diphenidine, ephenidine, and methoxyphenidine under control as Class B drugs under the Act.
Article 2(4) of this Order brings remimazolam under control as a Class C drug under the Act.
In addition, members may have seen that the MHRA has announced that codeine linctus is to be re-classified as a Prescription Only Medicine because of the risk of abuse and dependency https://www.gov.uk/government/news/codeine-linctus-to-be-reclassified-to-a-prescription-only-medicine-because-of-risk-of-abuse-and-addiction
Separately, the Department of Health and Social Care is consulting on widening access to take-home naxolone https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/proposals-to-expand-access-to-take-home-naloxone-supplies/proposals-to-expand-access-to-take-home-naloxone-supplies The consultation will run until 6 March 2024.