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Controlling drugs and poisons
Why control drugs and poisons?
Drugs and poisons, when used properly, are of great help, for example in treating illness, making useful household products and eliminating household pests. When not used properly they can harm people. So that drugs and poisons are used in ways which provide the most benefit for the community, the government has made laws to control their manufacture.How do these laws control drugs and poisons?
- Licences - determine who can make and sell drugs and poisons
- Permits - allow industry users to purchase the drugs and poisons they need to conduct their business.
- People with certain qualifications (for example doctors, pharmacists, veterinary practitioners, nurse practitioners and dentists), are authorised to possess and use drugs for specific purposes.
Who needs a licence?
Any person or company who wishes to manufacture and/or sell or supply by wholesale (this includes repacking or labelling) a Schedule 2, 3, 4, 7, 8 or 9 poison. Manufacturers who also sell or supply Schedule 7 poisons by retail require a licence.
Any person or company (not a pharmacy business) requires a licence to sell or supply Schedule 2 poisons by retail if more than 25km from the nearest pharmacy business.
Who needs a permit?
- Any health service wishing to purchase drugs.
- Any person wishing to use a Schedule 2, 3, 4, 7 (listed regulated), 8 or 9 poison for industrial, educational, advisory or research purposes
Who can obtain a licence or permit?
Any person or company with suitable premises, properly equipped and with trained or experienced staff can apply for a licence or permit.How can a licence or permit be obtained?
Applications can be downloaded from the Licences and permits page.
A full description of the premises, procedures, security, record keeping and so on, must accompany the application. This is called a Poisons Control Plan.
Personnel who are to be responsible for the purchase, records and secure storage must be nominated.
Supply of Product Starter Packs by Wholesale
The Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Regulations 2006 do not regulate the possession of product starter packs by company representatives for the purposes of demonstration. Supply is incorporated into the current edition of the Medicines Australia Code of Conduct and compliance with that code is regulated in Victoria via a standard licence condition for those holding licences to manufacture/wholesale or wholesale Schedule 2, 3 or 4 poisons.
Supply of Starter Packs by Wholesalers - 24 February 2010 (20kb, pdf)
Guidance on lawful supply to Racing Yachts and Ships in Port in Victoria
Possession and supply of Schedule 4 and Schedule 8 poisons are regulated under the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981 and the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Regulations 2006 in Victoria. Only those persons or businesses with specific authorisation may supply Scheduled poisons to a yacht owner or crew member of a racing yacht in Victoria or to the master or chief officer of a ship in port in Victoria.
