Controlled Drug Licensing
Unless specifically exempted by the Misuse of Drugs Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002, any person or company that wishes to produce, supply or possess controlled drugs in Northern Ireland will need a domestic controlled drug licence issued by the DHSSPS (those operating in Great Britain or wishing to import or export controlled drugs into any part of the United Kingdom must apply for appropriate licences through the Home Office).
Please refer to the list of controlled drugs to identify your licence requirements.
Any person or company who applies for such a licence must ensure that they have read the relevant guidance regarding security and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
You can read these by accessing the following:
general security guidance for controlled drug suppliers
or the standard operating procedure guidance.
or the standard operating procedure guidance.Once you have read the guidance you will need to fill in a licence application and apply for a Criminal Record Check enhanced disclosure for each individual named on the application form.
An application form for a domestic controlled drugs licence for Northern Ireland may be downloaded at the following link:
- Controlled Drug Licence Application Form (MS Word 358KB)
- Controlled Drug Licence Application Form (PDF 35KB)
Criminal Records Checks
Controlled Drug Licensing
The Rehabilitation of Offenders (Exceptions) Order (NI) 1979 (as amended) enables the Medicines Regulatory Group (MRG) to ask questions about spent and current convictions in addition to cautions and cases pending for the purpose of assessing applicant’s suitability to obtain a licence. This applies to anyone applying for a new or the renewal of a controlled drug licence from 1 April 2011.
This is a four stage process
- To apply for a CRC enhanced disclosure contact Access NI on tel: 0300 200 7888 or the Employment Centre on tel : 028 9075 6057 for an application form.
- MRG does not process CRC applications. Any queries regarding the CRC application process should be directed to the Employment Centre who are the Umbrella body that will process CRC applications.
- Outcome of the CRC will be returned directly to DHSSPS and matched to your application.
- Your application will be processed and a pre-licence compliance visit made.
Further information
Individuals and Bodies Corporate not covered by the provisions of The Misuse of Drugs Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002 must be licensed by the DHSSPS to lawfully produce, supply or possess controlled drugs.
Northern Ireland operates a domestic licensing system separate to that operating in the rest of the United Kingdom (which is administered by Drug Licensing and Compliance Unit at the Home Office).
The DHSSPS is responsible for processing applications for the production, supply and possession of controlled drugs to individuals or bodies corporate not authorised to do so under The Misuse of Drugs Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002.
It also has a role in the inspection of licensees and responding to adverse episodes such as the theft or unaccounted loss of controlled drugs from licensed premises.
Commercial and personal import and export licensing is overseen and administered by Drug Licensing and Compliance at the Home Office.
Please see http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/drugs/licensing/import-export/ for more information.
for more information.All precursor chemical licensing and registration is carried out by the Home Office.
