Upcoming medicine classification changes

Earlier this year, the Misuse of Drugs (Classification and Presumption of Supply) Order 2022 was passed. Forty-nine substances under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975 (the Act) have been scheduled (or up scheduled) including 5 medicines.  

The prescription medicines affected are fentanyl, lisdexamfetamine, tramadol, zopiclone and zolpidem.

The effective dates and new classifications are:

• 15 December 2022: lisdexamfetamine will be scheduled as a Class B2 
• 1 July 2023: 
  • fentanyl will be up scheduled to Class B1 (from Class B3) 
  • zopiclone and zolpidem will be scheduled as a Class C5 
• 1 October 2023: tramadol will be scheduled as a Class C2.

Further details can be found here.