The Misuse of Drugs (Safe Custody) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 1973
Statutory Rule 1973 No. 179 came full into operation on 1st July 1975.
- List of Amending Regulations
- Exceptions to the Safe Custody Regulation Requirements
- Exemption Certificates
- Misuse of Drugs and Misuse of Drugs (Safe Custody) (NI) (Amendment) Regs 2007 S.R.2007 NO 348
The Regulation applies to the following premises:
- (a) those occupied by a retail dealer for the purposes of his business;
- (b ) any nursing home registered under the Health and Personal Services (Quality, Improvement and Regulation)(Northern Ireland) Order 2003;
- (c) any private hospital within the meaning of the Mental Health (Northern Ireland) Order 1986.
The occupier and every person concerned in the management of any premises to which this Regulation applies must ensure that all controlled drugs (other than those specified in Schedule 1 to these Regulations) on the premises are so far as circumstances permit kept in a locked safe, cabinet or room which is so constructed and maintained as to prevent unauthorised access to the drugs.
The Regulation exempts certain controlled drugs from the safe custody requirements. For more information please see Exempted Drugs (PDF 32KB)
Those not included in the above list of premises covered above are still required to observe Regulation 5 (PDF 19KB).
It is not be necessary to comply with the full requirements of this Regulation in respect of any controlled drug in a setting outlined in the previous page which is for the time being under the direct personal supervision of a pharmacist or the person in charge of a premises or any member of his staff designated by him for the purpose.
It also does not have effect in relation to a safe, cabinet or room situated on any premises occupied for the purposes of his business by a person lawfully conducting a retail pharmacy business where an exemption certificate is in force.
The certificates are issue by the Police Service for Northern Ireland in the Province.
Contact: Robert.stanex@psni.pnn.police.uk
Contact: Robert.stanex@psni.pnn.police.uk
Every certificate specifies:
- (a) every safe, cabinet or room to which the certificate relates; and
- (b) any conditions necessary to be observed if the safes, cabinets or rooms to which the certificate relates are to provide an adequate degree of security.
Where a certificate is in force the authorised person may inspect the premises at any reasonable time to ascertain whether any conditions specified in the certificate are being observed and provide an adequate degree of security.
A certificate may be cancelled by the authorised person if it appears to him that:
- (a) there has been a breach of any condition specified in the certificate; or
- (b) as a result of any change of circumstances, the safes, cabinets or rooms to which the certificate relates no longer provide an adequate degree of security; or
- (c ) the occupier has refused entry to any authorised person acting in pursuance of the Regulation.
A certificate remains in force for a period of one year from the date of issue, but may from time to time be renewed for a further period of one year.
