Veterinary Medicines Directorate - Reclassification of pregabalin and gabapentin to Schedule 3 drugs from 1 April 2019

22 Mar 2019 01:28 PM

The Home Office has placed pregabalin and gabapentin to Schedule 3 of the Misuse of Drug Regulations 2001 from 1 April 2019.

The reclassification of pregabalin and gabapentin to Schedule 3 of the Misuse of Drug Regulations 2001 from 1 April 2019 will affect vets.

These schedule 3 drugs:

• will be exempt from safe custody requirements
• subject to special prescription writing requirements
• have a prescription validity of 28 days
• do not need to be recorded in the CD register
• do not require a witness for destruction
• invoices need to be retained for 2 years

The most recent communication on the classification of these medicines can be found on the Home Office website: Pregabalin and gabapentin to be controlled as class C drugs