CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE SCHEDULESControlled substances and drugs require specialhandling and security measures. The ControlledSubstance Act of 1970 established five schedules(categories) related to a drug’s potential for abuse,medical usefulness, and degree of dependency, ifabused.Controlled substances may migrate betweenschedules, and new products may be added. Thesechanges will be promulgated by the Navy MaterielSupport Command in the Medical and Dental MaterielBulletin.Schedule ISchedule I substances have high abuse potentialand no accepted medical use (e.g., heroin, marijuana,LSD).Schedule IISchedule II substances have high abuse potentialand severe psychological and/or physical dependenceliability. Examples of schedule II substances includenarcotics, amphetamines, and barbiturates.Prescriptions for schedule II substances can never beordered with refills and must be filled within 7 days ofthe date originally written.Schedule IIISchedule III substances have less abuse potentialthan schedule II substances and moderate dependenceliability. Examples of schedule III substances includen o n b a r b i t u r a t e s e d a t i v e s , n o n a m p h e t a m i n estimulants, and medications that contain a limitedquantity of certain narcotics. Prescriptions must befilled within 30 days of the date written and may berefilled up to five times within 6 months.Schedule IVSchedule IV substances have less abuse potentialthan schedule III substances and limited dependenceliability. Prescriptions must be filled within 30 days ofthe date written and may be refilled up to five timeswithin a 6-month period.Schedule VSchedule V substances have limited abusepotential. Schedule V substances are primarilyantitussives or antidiarrheals that contain smallamounts of narcotics (codeine). Prescriptions must befilled within 30 days of the date written and may berefilled up to five times within 6 months.DANGEROUS DRUGSPoisonous drugs, chemicals, and similarsubstances are classified as dangerous drugs. Becausethese substances are powerful, their containers shouldhave a distinctive color, size, or shape, and thecontainer should be placed in a special storage area sothey are not mistaken for other drugs. In addition, thefollowing safeguards should be enforced:Label all containers of dangerous substancesappropriately.Store caustic acids (such as glacial acetic,sulfuric, nitric, concentrated hydrochloric, oroxalic acids) in appropriate containers, and donot issue to wards or outpatients.Account for and issue methyl alcohol(methanol) to be used by medical activities in thesame manner as other controlled substances.Methanol should not be stored, used, ordispensed by the pharmacy, ward, or outpatienttreatment facility.SECURITY AND CUSTODY OFCONTROLLED SUBSTANCESSchedule I and II controlled substances and ethylalcohol require vault or safe storage and inventory bythe Controlled Substance Inventory Board (discussedin more detail in the section entitled “Inventory ofControlled Substances”). Working stock may be keptin a locked area within the pharmacy. A copy of thesafe combination must be kept in a sealed envelopedeposited with the CO or representative.Schedule III, IV, and V controlled substancesrequire locked cabinet security for storage of bulkdrugs. A minimum amount of working stock may bedispersed among other pharmacy stock, provided thepharmacy stock itself is secure. Otherwise, all stock inthis category must be kept in locked cabinets.Custodial responsibility for controlled substances,ethyl alcohol, and dangerous drugs at naval hospitals isentrusted to a commissioned officer or a civilianpharmacist who is appointed in writing by the CO. Atremote branch clinics that do not have a commissionedofficer or a civilian pharmacist, the CO will designate6-25
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