What does Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 do?

• A. Prohibits all controlled drugs except under special license.
• B. Enables lawful access to controlled drugs under the 1971 act for legitimate uses e.g. healthcare.
• C. Abolishes controlled drug restrictions.
• D. Only regulates disposal of controlled drugs.

Answer: (B)

These regulations provide the practical framework for using controlled drugs in healthcare. They sit under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and translate its controls into how medicines are accessed, prescribed, supplied, stored, recorded, and disposed of in medical and research settings. This means controlled drugs can be used legally for legitimate patient care when the proper licenses, schedules, and procedures are followed. They establish who can prescribe and dispense, how medicines must be stored securely, how keepsafe records are kept, and how disposal is handled. They are not about blanket prohibition, they don’t abolish restrictions, and they cover far more than just disposal.