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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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Defra shares new Sanitary and Phytosanitary guidance

News Story 1
 Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.

The agreement, which will change the movement and trade of animals and related products, could see reductions in checks, paperwork and certification. As well as describing regulatory developments, the advice highlights the importance of animal ID, registration and traceability in disease control and other compliance arrangements.

The guidance can be found here. More detail is expected as negotiations progress. 

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News Shorts
New form for online veterinary medicines retailers

The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) has produced a new online form for retailers wishing to sell veterinary medicines on the internet.

The form replace the previous Word version and is part of the VMD's ongoing commitment to digitise its processes. Anyone retailing prescription medicines online, including POM-V, POM-VPS and NFA-VPS categories, is lawfully required to register with the VMD before trading.

The change only applies to new applicants. Retailers already listed on the VMD's Register of Online Retailers or registered under the Accredited Internet Retailer Scheme (AIRS) do not need to do anything.