The Misuse of Drugs and Misuse of Drugs (Safe Custody) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2019

Citation, commencement, interpretation and extent

1.—(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Misuse of Drugs and Misuse of Drugs (Safe Custody) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2019 and shall come into operation on 1st April 2019.

(2) The Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954(1) shall apply to these Regulations as it applies to an Act of the Northern Ireland Assembly.

(3) These Regulations extend to Northern Ireland.

Amendments to the Misuse of Drugs Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002

2.—(1) The Misuse of Drugs Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002(2) are amended as follows

(2) In paragraph 1(a) of Schedule 3 (controlled drugs subject to the requirements of regulations 14, 15, 16, 18, 22, 23, 24, 26 and 27)—

(a) after “Flunitrazepam” insert—

“Gabapentin (1–(aminomethyl)cyclohexaneacetic acid)”, and

(b) after “Pipradrol” insert—

“Pregabalin ((S)–3–(aminomethyl)-5-methylhexanoic acid)”.

(3) In paragraph 3 of Schedule 3, for “Any ester or ether of pipradrol.” substitute—

“Any—

(a) ester or ether of pipradrol; or

(b) ester of gabapentin (1–(aminomethyl)cyclohexaneacetic acid) or pregabalin ((S)–3–(aminomethyl)-5-methylhexanoic acid)”.

Amendments to the Misuse of Drugs (Safe Custody) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 1973

3.—(1) The Misuse of Drugs (Safe Custody) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 1973(3) shall be amended as follows.

(2) In paragraph 1 of Schedule 1 (exempted drugs) for “the Misuse of Drugs (Northern Ireland) Regulations 1986.” substitute “the Misuse of Drugs Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002”.

(3) In paragraph 3 of Schedule 1—

(a) after sub-paragraph (d), insert—

“(da) Gabapentin (1–(aminomethyl)cyclohexaneacetic acid)”;

(b) after sub-paragraph (j), insert—

“(jaa) Pregabalin ((S)–3–(aminomethyl)-5-methylhexanoic acid)”;

(c) for sub-paragraph (k), substitute—

“(k) Any ester of gabapentin (1–(aminomethyl)cyclohexaneacetic acid) or pregabalin ((S)–3–(aminomethyl)-5-methylhexanoic acid).

(ka) Any stereoisomeric form of a substance specified in any of paragraphs (a) to (k) above.”;

(d) in sub-paragraph (l), for “(k)” substitute “(ka)”.

Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department of Health on 21st February 2019

Cathy Harrison

A senior officer of the Department of Health