Schedule 8 poisons (labelled 'Controlled Drug') are medicines with strict legislative controls, including opioid analgesics – for example, pethidine, fentanyl, morphine (MS-Contin®, Kapanol®), oxycodone (OxyContin®, Endone®), methadone (Physeptone®) and buprenorphine.
Schedule 8 drugs or drugs of dependence are prescription medicines that have a recognised therapeutic need but also a higher risk of misuse, abuse and dependence.
Schedule 8 (S8) medicines
They are medicines that can only be supplied by a pharmacist on prescription and are subject to tight restrictions because of their potential to produce addiction. They are often referred to as 'drugs of addiction'. Morphine, oxycodone and fentanyl are examples of S8 drugs.
S8 drugs such as buprenorphine, ketamine and fentanyl are commonly used for anaesthesia and analgesia in animal research. At times, S9 drugs such as amphetamine, muscimol, morphine, cocaine and cannabidiol are used in animal research, especially in fields such as psychology and pharmacology.
Schedule 4, Appendix D (S4D) refers to Prescription Only Medicines that do not have sufficient addictiveness or risk of abuse to be classified as S8, but for which a significant addiction/abuse risk exists. As such, S4D drugs are subject to additional prescription and recording requirements over S4.
It is a central nervous system and psychostimulant medication that can help with increased productivity. In NSW, Australia, it is a schedule 8 drug of addiction or controlled drug, and a prohibited drug in NSW.
Schedule 9 is for drugs that have no therapeutic use, but are subject to abuse. Schedule 9 drugs are only available for research purposes. Schedules 5, 6 and 7 include non-therapeutic chemicals in increasing order of toxicity, and thus in increasing order of restricted availability.
Schedule 11 Medicine (S11) Sub-group of Schedule 4 medicines that are subject to abuse. Includes: bromazepam, chloral hydrate, clobazam, clonazepam, diazepam, lorazepam, methoxyflurane, midazolam, nitrazepam, oxazepam, temazepam, paracetamol/codeine phosphate 30mg, and tramadol.
Schedule 6 (S6) substances are chemicals that are very toxic if ingested of misused and classified as poisons that require greater caution when handling. Guidance for the safe retail storage of Schedule 6 poisons may be found at the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) website (external site).
Schedule 2 substances are labelled 'Pharmacy Medicine'. They are available for sale from pharmacies and from licensed retailers in rural areas where no pharmacy is nearby. Many painkillers and products used to treat minor conditions such as coughs and colds are Schedule 2 substances.
Paracetamol is currently listed in Schedules 2, 3 and 4.
The NSW Ministry of Health issues authorities to medical practitioners to prescribe drugs of addiction (Schedule 8 drugs), including opioid medications for chronic pain. An authority from the Ministry of Health is required to prescribe or supply a drug of addiction for: a drug dependent person.
Ritalin is a Schedule II substance under the Controlled Substances Act. Schedule II drugs, which include cocaine and methamphet- amine, have a high potential for abuse.
The prescribing GP can cease or decline prescribing an S8 medication to a patient for the following reasons; If the patient demonstrates any form of abusive or intimidating behaviour. The GP determines that ongoing treatment with an S8 medication is no longer beneficial to the patient.
Tramadol is controlled in Schedule IV of the Controlled Substances Act. Comments and additional information are welcomed by the Drug and Chemical Evaluation Section; Fax 571-362-4250, Telephone 571-362-3249, or E-mail [email protected].
Schedule 5
Poisonous substances of a dangerous nature commonly used for domestic purposes, such as methylated spirits, kerosene and bleaches which should be readily available to the public but which require caution in their handling, use and storage.
Schedule 4 (S4) - Prescribed restricted substances as per schedule maintained by the PSB. The PSB web site must be consulted for the current list of scheduled drugs. Schedule 8 (S8) - Drugs of addiction as per schedule maintained by the PSB. The PSB web site must be consulted for the current list of scheduled drugs.
It is illegal for doctors to prescribe controlled (S8) drugs, or restricted drugs of dependency (S4 drugs such as Tramadol, Panadeine Forte, Panadeine Extra, and benzodiazepines), to a person they reasonably believe to be drug dependent without the prior approval of the chief executive of Queensland Health.
Temazepam is a schedule 3 controlled drug that is exempt from the usual schedule 2 and 3 controlled drug prescription form requirements.
Appendix D of the Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Regulation 2008 (Regulation) lists Schedule 4 substances (prescription-only medicines) that have common therapeutic uses, but are also liable to abuse, misuse and diversion, warranting more stringent controls on possession and supply.
Midazolam is the only Schedule 3 CD that in certain circumstances can be included in a Patient Group Direction (written instructions to help supply / administration of medicines to patients usually in planned circumstances.
Schedule 4D (S4D) and Schedule 8 (S8): These are medicines that have a recognised therapeutic need but also a higher potential for misuse, abuse and dependence. S4D and S8 medicines are also known as Drugs of Dependence (DDs).