Explanatory note

These Regulations amend the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 1985 (“the principal Regulations”).

There are two groups of amendments. The first group (contained in paragraphs (2), (5) and (6) of regulation 2) effects the transfer of quinalbarbitone, a 5,5 disubstituted barbituric acid, from paragraph 1(b) of Schedule 3, to paragraph 6 of Schedule 2, to the principal Regulations and makes a consequential amendment to regulation 6(4) of the principal Regulations extending to Schedule 2 drugs the general authority to supply and possess for the purposes of a pest control licence. The second group (contained in paragraphs (3) and (4) of regulation 2) exempts from regulations 14 and 18 of the principal Regulations (which relate to documentation and labelling) any drug specified in Schedule 3 thereto in a premixed preparation required for use as a buffering agent in chemical analysis.