Controlled drugs

The classes of controlled drugs and their restrictions

This information is provided in full in the schedules of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975, accessible via the New Zealand legislation website.

Maximum period of supply for controlled drug prescriptions

Amendments to the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 1977

On 5 October 2023, the Misuse of Drugs Amendment Regulations (No 2) 2023 took effect. These amendments adjusted maximum periods of supply for certain controlled drugs, including specific limits for controlled opioids. More information can be found on the Safe Access to Opioids: Engagement summary page.

Please download the Misuse of Drugs Amendment Regulations FAQs (pdf, 146 KB) for more information on the changes.

The Misuse of Drugs Regulations 1977 set different maximum periods of supply for controlled opioids and non-opioid controlled drugs. Controlled opioid drugs are any substances considered to be opioids (natural, semisynthetic, or synthetic) and are listed in the schedules of the Misuse of Drugs Act.

The Misuse of Drug Regulations 1977 specify the restrictions on controlled drug prescribing. These restrictions are the maximums allowed in law however they are not indicative of appropriate practice. Prescribers must only prescribe within their scope of practice and should adhere to current best practice guidance. The restrictions for controlled drugs are as follows:

Medical practitioners

The maximum period of supply is no greater than a quantity sufficient for use for a period of:

• 1 month for Class A controlled drugs
• 1 month for Class A, Class B and Class C controlled opioids
• 3 months for Class B and Class C non-opioid controlled drugs (dispensed at up to 1-monthly intervals as specified by the prescriber).

Nurse practitioners

The maximum period of supply is no greater than a quantity sufficient for use for a period of:

• 1 month for Class A controlled drugs
• 1 month for Class A, Class B and Class C controlled opioids
• 3 months for Class B and Class C non-opioid controlled drugs (dispensed at up to 1-monthly intervals as specified by prescriber).

Dentists

The maximum period of supply is no greater than a quantity sufficient for use for a period of:

• 1 month for Class A controlled drugs
• 1 month for Class A, Class B and Class C controlled opioids
• 3 months for Class B and Class C non-opioid controlled drugs (dispensed at up to 1-monthly intervals as specified by prescriber).

Midwives

Midwives may only prescribe from the list of controlled drugs in Schedule 1C of the Regulations.

Currently, the only controlled drugs that can be prescribed by midwives are opioids, therefore, the maximum the period of supply is no greater than a quantity sufficient for use for a period of 1 month.

Designated prescriber nurse

Designated prescriber nurses may only prescribe from the list of controlled drugs in Schedule 1A of the Regulations.

The maximum period of supply is no greater than a quantity sufficient for use for a period of:

• 1 month for Class A controlled drugs
• 1 month for Class A, Class B and Class C controlled opioids
• 3 months for Class B and Class C non-opioid controlled drugs (dispensed at up to 1-monthly intervals as specified by prescriber).

Designated prescriber pharmacist

Designated prescriber pharmacists may only prescribe from the list of controlled drugs in Schedule 1B of the Regulations.

The maximum period of supply is no greater than a quantity sufficient for use for a period of:

• 1 month for Class A controlled drugs
• 1 month for Class A, Class B and Class C controlled opioids
• 3 months for Class B and Class C non-opioid controlled drugs (dispensed at up to 1-monthly intervals as specified by prescriber).

Prescription requirements for Class A and B and specified Class C drugs

If intended for human use, prescriptions for:

• Class A and Class B controlled drugs
• Class C controlled drugs specified by Regulation 29(5) of the Regulations.

must be either:

• handwritten on a form approved by the Director-General of Health (currently triplicate controlled drugs prescription form H572) and signed by the prescriber, or
• on a form that is electronically generated from an approved system. For example, the New Zealand electronic Prescription Service (NZePS).

Only systems that are robust and secure and which have a data feed to Medicines Control (a unit within Manatū Hauora with responsibility for monitoring of controlled drug prescribing) and Sector Operations (a unit within Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand with responsibility for payment services) will be given approval.

Other requirements relating to prescriptions for controlled drugs

With the exception of prescriptions generated using an approved electronic system, every prescription for a controlled drug must be signed physically by the prescriber in his or her own handwriting. Details required on each prescription, including prescriptions generated using an approved electronic system, are set out in Regulation 29 and include:

• the date
• the name and address of the patient
• name of the medicine
• the dose and frequency
• the prescriber’s name and address

Prescriptions for children under 12 years require the age in years and months to be included on the prescription form.

Prescriptions must be dispensed within a certain time

• Prescriptions for Class A and Class B controlled drugs must be dispensed within 7 days of the prescribing date.
• Prescriptions for Class C controlled drugs must be dispensed within 6 months of the prescribing date.

Prescription amendments

Amendments to controlled drug prescriptions may only be made by the prescriber, who must:

• sign the changes, on a handwritten controlled drugs prescription form (H572).
• for an electronic prescription, either:
  1. cancel the original prescription and issue a new amended prescription through NZePS, or
  2. sign the changes on a paper copy of the electronic prescription.

Some controlled drugs have additional restrictions

Ephedrine, methylphenidate, lisdexamfetamine and dexamfetamine

These controlled drugs require additional approval for prescribing, in accordance with Regulation 22 of the Regulations. See Restrictions on supply of certain controlled drugs for more information.

Treatment of people dependent on controlled drugs

Only medical practitioners working under a Gazette notice issued under s24 of the Misuse of Drugs Act can issue prescriptions for the treatment of dependency. The Ministry’s Prescribing Controlled Drugs in Addiction Treatment document provides guidance to help addiction treatment services comply with section 24 of the Misuse of Drugs Act.

Section 24 of the Act prohibits prescribing to a person whom the prescriber believes to be dependent on a controlled drug (for example methadone), unless that prescriber is a medical practitioner and:

• is a gazetted practitioner; or
• is working in a gazetted agency and authorised by a gazetted prescriber, or is working in a hospital and is authorised by the person in charge under direction of a Medical Officer of Health; or
• is acting under the written permission of a gazetted or authorised prescriber described above to prescribe for a particular patient.

With the exception of prescriptions generated using an approved electronic system, prescriptions for methadone may be on quadruplicate H572M forms supplied by the Ministry of Health or Alcohol & Drug (A&D) or clinic prescriptions where an approval to print onto triplicate forms has been provided by the Director-General of Health.

Controlled opioids prescribed under section 24 of the Misuse of Drugs Act (ie, through an Opioid Substitution Treatment service) have a maximum period of supply of 3 months.