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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 19th August 2014
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Ketamine rescheduling consultation now open
Ketamine on table
Ketamine is widely used in the veterinary profession, as well as recreationally.
Consultation seeks views of veterinary professionals on the recommendation to reschedule ketamine to a Schedule 2 drug.

A twelve-week public consultation on the appropriate schedule in which ketamine should be listed is currently underway and will run until November 3, 2014.

Earlier this year, changes of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 came into force, which included the reclassification of ketamine as a Class B drug - meaning that the maximum penalty for unlawful possession increased from two to five years in jail.

Ketamine, which is widely used in the veterinary profession as an anaesthetic and analgesic, is also used recreationally.  

A report by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD)  revealed that heavy and frequent misuse of ketamine is linked to various physical and psychological problems, including chronic toxicity to the bladder leading to numerous reports of individuals having to have their bladders removed.

As well as suggesting that ketamine be reclassified to Class B,  the report suggested that, subject to public consultation, it be rescheduled to Schedule 2 to the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001. It is illegal to possess Schedule 2 drugs without a prescription or to supply or produce them without a licence.

The Minister for Crime Prevention accepted the ACMD advice and on 10 June, 2014 ketamine was reclassified as a Class B drug.

During the consultation, the Home Office is interested to hear the views of the public, especially health and veterinary organisations and professionals, on the appropriate schedule in which ketamine should be listed. A final decision will be made by the Minister after the public consultation.  Until then ketamine remains a Schedule 4 Part 1 drug.

An online response page is available for anybody on would like to respond online. The consultation document and consultation stage impact assessment is available at www.gov.uk/government/consultations/ketamine-rescheduling-consultation 

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Cold-water dip to raise funds for Vetlife

News Story 1
 The veterinary mental health charity Vetlife is inviting the veterinary community to join it for a sponsored cold-water dip.

The event will take place at Walpole Bay, Margate, on 17 May during Mental Health Awareness Week. Participants of all abilities can join in the challenge and are advised to bring a towel, a hot drink, a snack, and warm clothes to get changed into afterwards.

Those taking part are being asked to try to raise 100 each to support the work of the charity.

Details about how to take part can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue low vector period ends

In an update to its bluetongue guidance, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced that the seasonal low vector period for the disease has ended.

With winter over, Defra is planning for a possible increase in cases as midges become more active. It has warned that farms along the east coast of England from Norfolk to Kent, and along the south coast from Kent to Devon, are at highest risk from infected midges blown over from northern Europe.

Since the virus was detected in England in November 2023, there have been 126 confirmed cases. The most recent case to be confirmed was on 1 March 2024.

Farmers are asked to continue to frequently monitor their livestock and ensure their animals and land are registered with the Animal and Plant Health Agency.