News story

Reclassification of pregabalin and gabapentin to Schedule 3 drugs from 1 April 2019

The Home Office has placed pregabalin and gabapentin to Schedule 3 of the Misuse of Drug Regulations 2001 from 1 April 2019.

Controlled Drugs

The reclassification of pregabalin and gabapentin to Schedule 3 of the Misuse of Drug Regulations 2001 from 1 April 2019 will affect vets.

These schedule 3 drugs:

  • will be exempt from safe custody requirements
  • subject to special prescription writing requirements
  • have a prescription validity of 28 days
  • do not need to be recorded in the CD register
  • do not require a witness for destruction
  • invoices need to be retained for 2 years

The most recent communication on the classification of these medicines can be found on the Home Office website: Pregabalin and gabapentin to be controlled as class C drugs

Enquiries can be sent to postmaster@vmd.gov.uk

Published 22 March 2019