Volume 6 | Number 2 Article 201 2015 Classifications of Controlled Substances: Insights from 23 Countries Lisa Dragic Elease Lee Albert Wertheimer Follow this and additional works at: http://pubs.lib.umn.edu/innovations Recommended Citation Dragic L, Lee E, Wertheimer A. Classifications of Controlled Substances: Insights from 23 Countries. Inov Pharm. 2015;6(2): Article 201. http://pubs.lib.umn.edu/innovations/vol6/iss2/6 INNOVATIONS in pharmacy is published by the University of Minnesota Libraries Publishing. Student Project POLICY Classifications of Controlled Substances: Insights from 23 Countries Lisa Dragic, PharmD Candidate; Elease Lee, PharmD Candidate; and Albert Wertheimer, RPh, PhD, MBA Department of Pharmacy Practice, Temple University School of Pharmacy Acknowledgments: N/A Disclosure: Nothing to disclose Keywords: Pharmacy, Controlled Substances, Classifications of Controlled Substances, Narcotics, prescription drugs, prescription drug abuse, drug abuse Abstract Controlled substances are among the most highly regulated and highly abused medications. The purpose of this study was to describe the classification systems for controlled substances in 23 countries and make comparisons. From this review, recommendations are provided for improving classification systems and their impact on medication use. Introduction Prescription and non-prescription drug abuse and overdose is substances in countries world-wide. Information was a growing problem in the United States, and is referred to as gathered, sorted, and translated into English, when a public epidemic by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). applicable. Information for 23 countries was identified. These Prescription drug overdose death rates have more than countries were grouped into regions that had similar tripled since 19901. It killed an estimated 37,485 people in socioeconomic characteristics: North American, Western 2009 and is the cause of 100 deaths every day in the United Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Sates. Every 19 minutes a person dies from a prescription pain killer overdose. The CDC reports that today millions of Findings Americans are addicted to opiates or prescription pain pills and “more than 12 million people reported using prescription NORTH AMERICA painkillers non-medically in 2010-that is, using them without a prescription or for the feeling they cause.”2 United States In the United States, there are 5 categories of controlled The economic costs of prescription drug abuse are substances. Schedule 1 drugs, substances, or chemicals are substantial; drug and alcohol problems cost the United States defined as drugs with no current medical use and a high an estimated $276 billion a year.3 Substance abuse results in potential for abuse. Such drugs include heroin, marijuana, higher healthcare expenses for injuries and illnesses; lower and ecstasy, among many others. productivity and performance; an increase in workers’ compensation and disability claims. In 2009, the misuse and Schedule 2 drugs, substances, or chemicals are defined as abuse of prescription painkillers was responsible for more drugs with a high potential for abuse, with use potentially than 475,000 emergency department visits, which has nearly leading to severe psychological or physical dependence. Such doubled in five years.4 drugs include amphetamines, fentanyl, and oxycodone. Schedule 2 drugs allow no refills. A new prescription must be Methods brought into the pharmacy each month. New to this category The World Health Organization (WHO) website was used for was the recent rescheduling of hydrocodone (Vicodin) which identifying controlled substances regulations and the moved from schedule 4 to schedule 2. regulatory authorities responsible for medicines in each country. In addition, leaders in the pharmaceutical industry Schedule 3 drugs, substances, or chemicals are defined as were contacted by email and mail in order to identify drugs with a moderate to low potential for physical and information about classification systems for controlled psychological dependence. Some examples are Tylenol with Codeine and Buprenorphine. Corresponding Author: Lisa Dragic, PharmD Candidate May Schedule 4 drugs are defined as drugs with a low potential for 2016; E-mail: [email protected] abuse and a low risk of dependence. Some examples include Xanax (Alprazolam), Soma (Carisoprodol), and Valium (Diazepam). http://z.umn.edu/INNOVATIONS 2015, Vol. 6, No. 2, Article 201 INNOVATIONS in pharmacy 1 Student Project POLICY Schedule 5 drugs are defined as drugs with lower potential While there is no nation-level data on opioid-related for abuse than schedule 4 and consist of preparations mortality rate in Canada, provincial data is available from containing limited quantities of certain narcotics. Some drugs three jurisdictions: Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia. In include, Lomotil (Diphenoxylate and Atropine) and Phenergan Ontario the Office of the Chief Coroner reported that opiod- with Codeine (Promethazine with Codeine). related deaths doubled from 1991 to 2004. Another recent study reported that there were 3,271 opioid-related deaths Schedule 3-5 drugs are allowed up to 5 refills and the that occurred between 1991 to 2004. In Alberta, deaths prescription expires in 6 months. attributable to poisoning from narcotics or psychodysleptics (i.e. hallucinogenic drugs) accounted for the second-highest Canada prescription drug-related death rate (3.9 per 100,000) In Canada, drugs and associated substances are regulated between 2003 to 2006.9 The rate of prescription opioid- under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA). related overdose deaths in one region of British Columbia There are 8 categories listed as Schedules I to VIIi. Schedule I was similar to the number of residents killed in motor-vehicle includes the drugs that are commonly thought of as the most accidents involving alcohol (2-3 per 100,000 persons) in any “dangerous”, e.g., cocaine and methamphetamine. given year.10 Between 2005 and 2009, there were 815 deaths Schedule II lists cannabis and its derivatives, while Schedule III related to fentanyl, hydromorphone, morphine, and includes amphetamines and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) oxycodone in British Columbia.11 and schedule IV includes barbiturates. In 2010-2011, 1.5% of Canadian students in grades 6 to 12 The Canadian Alcohol and Drug Use Monitoring Survey reported past-year use of tranquilizers to get high and for (CADUMS) is an on-going survey that includes Canadians aged non-medical purposes; 2.5% reported such use of sleeping 15 years or older using illicit drugs and alcohol. Prescription medicine.12 Among First Nations individuals aged 18 and opioids are included in Schedule I, and a recent analysis of older living on-reservations in northern First Nations 2009 CADUMS data revealed that 4.8% of Canadians aged 15 communities across Canada, 5.7% reported past-year use of and older reported non-medical prescription opioid use sedatives or sleeping pills without a prescription in 2008- during the past year; 0.4% of Canadians aged 15 and older 2010.13 In 2010-11 2.2% of Canadian students in grades 6-12 reported the use of pain relievers to get high during the reported the past year use of prescription stimulants for 6 previous 12 months. recreational use and not for medical use.12 There is little data on morbidity and mortality in Canada due to stimulant From 2005–2006 to 2010–2011, there was an almost 250% misuse. increase in the number of emergency room (ER) visits in Ontario related to narcotics withdrawal, overdose, WESTERN EUROPE intoxication, psychosis, harmful use and other related Western European countries are part of European Monitoring 7 diagnoses. Rates of ER visits for opioid-related mental and Centre for Drugs and Drug Addictions (EMCDDA). The behavioral disorders also increased in Ontario between 2008- following information was provided by the EMCDDA for by 8 2009 and 2010-2011. Table I depicts ER visits in Ontario by each country and drugscience.org.uk, which is an region. independent scientific committee on drugs. Table I: ER visits in Ontario by region Norway Until recently there was no separate set of laws pertaining only to drugs in Norway. The King was empowered to Region 2008–2009 ER Visits 2010–2011 ER Visits determine what substances were narcotic drugs. Then The 2.6 for every 10,000 3.7 for every 10,000 All of Ontario King empowered the Director of Health who made a detailed people people list of narcotics. On February 14, 2013 new Regulations Northern Ontario 9.2 for every 10,000 22.9 for every 10,000 relating to Narcotics entered into force. Ten groups of only people people substances, seven of them describing cannabinoids, are 12.1 for every 10,000 55 for every 10,000 included on the list of controlled substances.14 First Nations people people SIRUS and Statistics Norway formed a collaboration to annually survey the national population to measure the use of tobacco/moist snuff, alcohol, drugs, and medicines. The findings on drug use reported use during the last 30 days. A http://z.umn.edu/INNOVATIONS 2015, Vol. 6, No. 2, Article 201 INNOVATIONS in pharmacy 2 Student Project POLICY proportion of 9 per cent reported having used an illegal Belgium morphine substance during the past month, 33 per cent The list of controlled substances was established by Royal cannabis and 42 per cent benzodiazepines. Half of those who Decree of 31 December 1930 regarding soporific and narcotic reported using benzodiazepines had been prescribed the drugs and by the Royal Decree of 22 January 1998 regarding drug by a doctor. Sixteen per cent reported using certain psychotropic substances. They are both constantly stimulants.14 Norway ranks high on the European statistics for revised in order to stay up to date with new substances. overdoses. As shown in Figure 1, heroin, other opioids, and Soporific and narcotic substances include opium, heroin, methadone were the leading causes of drug-related deaths in cocaine, morphine, methadone, cannabis and cannabis resin. 2011 in Norway. Psychotropic substances include amphetamines, hallucinogens, pipradol and MDMA.