Talk:Australian Drug Scheduling

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Australia has many different schedules for categorizing drugs in terms of safety, abuse rate and dependence. These exist so that the state/territory governments can control who has access to what drugs, when they can access them and how they are packaged as to inform people.

All states/territories of Australia have their own regulations but because they are usually always classified against the Poisons Standard Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Medicines and Poisons), they are all the same except for very rare occasions. The current version of the Poisons Standard is October 2024.

Schedules

Unscheduled

Some substances are unscheduled, these medications are usually considered extremely essential and safe

Some examples of unscheduled substances include:

• Paracetamol, 500mg or less & in packs of 24 or less
• Ephenidrine
• Antacids
• Hydroxymorphian
• Laxatives
• Eye drops
• Nicotine replacement substances, although some of these fall under Schedule 2

Schedule 1

There are no drugs listed under Schedule 1

This is because Schedule 1 has been intentionally left blank.

Schedule 2

The Department of Health and Aged Care declares that Schedule 2 substance are Pharmacy Medicines,

"Substances, the safe use of which may require advice from a pharmacist and which should be available from a pharmacy or, where a pharmacy service is not available, from a licensed person."

Schedule 2 drugs are Pharmacy Medicines (also known as OTC or Over the counter.) and are substances that are

• Available primarily in pharmacies
• Safe to use but guidance is available
• Are for minor sicknesses/symptoms that can be-
  • easily recognized by the consumer
  • do not require diagnosis

Examples of Schedule 2 drugs include:

• Dextromethorphan, commonly used in cough medicine as a suppressant
• Common analgesics such as Aspirin, Paracetamol, and Ibuprofen in packs of more than 24 tablets (packs containing less than 24 are unscheduled and can be sold anywhere)
• Hyoscine, used to treat vomiting, nausea and motion sickness
• Nasal sprays that contain decongestants and steroids

Schedule 3

The Department of Health and Aged Care declares that Schedule 3 substance are Pharmacy Only Medicines,

"Substances, the safe use of which requires professional advice but which should be available to the public from a pharmacist without a prescription."

Schedule 3 drugs are Pharmacy Only Medicines and are substances that are-

• Available only in pharmacies
• Safe to use but require professional advice
• Sicknesses/symptoms that can be identified by the customer but should be verified by the pharmacist
• Don't require a medical diagnosis

Examples of Schedule 3 drugs include:

• Pseudoephidrine, used in cold and flu medications and for the manufacture of Amphetamines such as Methamphetamine
• Orlistat (Xenical), drug used for treating obesity
• Salbutamol (Ventolin), drug commonly used for treating asthma
• Cannabidol, for therapeutic use containing 2 percent or less of other cannabinoids found in cannabis

Schedule 4

The Department of Health and Aged Care declares that Schedule 4 substance are Prescription only medicines and prescription animal remedies

"Substances, the use or supply of which should be by or on the order of persons permitted by State or Territory legislation to prescribe and should be available from a pharmacist on prescription."

Schedule 4 drugs are Prescription only medicines and prescription animal remedies and are substances that-

• Must be supplied by medical practitioner, dental practitioner or veterinarian
• Are new substances and/or require further evaluation
• Are for sicknesses/symptoms that-
  • require professional control and monitoring
  • require professional diagnosis

The Australian Government can subsidize the price of Schedule 4 Drugs through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) if the customer qualifies. Schedule 4 drugs can not be advertised to the general public.

Examples of Schedule 4 drugs include:

• Codeine, when mixed with other medicines
• Ephidrine
• Fluticasone
• Isotretinoin
• Methoxyflurane
• Pseudoephidrine, in large doses
• Anti-psychotics

Schedule 5

The Department of Health and Aged Care declares that Schedule 5 substance are Caution

"Substances with a low potential for causing harm, the extent of which can be reduced through the use of appropriate packaging with simple warnings and safety directions on the label."

Schedule 5 substances are listed as Caution and are identified as:

• having a low toxicity or concentration
• having a low to moderate hazard
• may cause minor adverse effects to the user under normal use
• require caution when handling, storing or using

Schedule 5 substances must have the right packaging and warning labels to show any of the above points

Majority of Schedule 5 substances are chemicals that can be dangerous when using or if consumed, examples include:

• Acetone
• Aspirin, for treatment of animals
• Boric Acid and Borax, except for when included in Schedule 4
• Methanol
• Methylated Spirits

Schedule 6

The Department of Health and Aged Care declares that Schedule 6 substance are Poisons

"Substances with a moderate potential for causing harm, the extent of which can be reduced through the use of distinctive packaging with strong warnings and safety directions on the label."

Schedule 6 substances are listed as Poison and are identified as:

• having moderate to high toxicity
• may cause serious injury or death if taken, inhaled or made contact with skin/eyes

Schedule 6 substances must have very distinctive packaging indicating very strong warnings, the packaging must also include safety instructions

Examples of substances listed under Schedule 6 include:

• Acetic Acid
• Alkaline Salts
• Hydrochloric Acid, in preparations containing more than 0.5% hydrochloric acid

Schedule 7

The Department of Health and Aged Care declares that Schedule 7 substance are Dangerous Poisons

"Substances with a high potential for causing harm at low exposure and which require special precautions during manufacture, handling or use. These poisons should be available only to specialised or authorised users who have the skills necessary to handle them safely. Special regulations restricting their availability, possession, storage or use may apply."

Schedule 7 drugs are Dangerous Drugs and are substances that-

• have high potential for harm at low exposure
• require precautions for manufacturing, handing or using; or
• only available to specialized and/or authorized people with appropriate skills

Special regulations may apply regarding their availability, possession, storage or use

Examples of Schedule 7 drugs include:

• Bromine
• Chlorine, excluding its salts/derivatives
• Cyanides
• Nicotine, except when in tobacco prepared for smoking

Schedule 8

The Department of Health and Aged Care declares that Schedule 8 substance are Controlled Drugs

"Substances which should be available for use but require restriction of manufacture, supply, distribution, possession and use to reduce abuse, misuse and physical or psychological dependence."

Schedule 8 drugs are Controlled Drugs and are substances and preparations which are designed for human use that have a very high potential for abuse/addiction. It is a criminal offense to possess these drugs without authority

Much like Schedule 4 drugs, the price of Schedule 8 drugs can subsidized through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)

In order for a doctor to prescribe a Schedule 8 drug, they need a S8 permit in their state/territory of practice.

Examples of Schedule 8 drugs include:

• Amphetamine
• Cannabis, when prepared for medicinal use
• Cocaine
• Codeine, when sold by itself
• Fentanyl
• Ketamine
• Lisdexamphetamine
• Methamphetamine
• Morphine
• Opium
• Oxycodone

Schedule 9

The Department of Health and Aged Care declares that Schedule 9 substance are Prohibited Substances

"Substances which may be abused or misused, the manufacture, possession, supply or use of which should be prohibited by law except when required for medical or scientific research, or for analytical, teaching or training purposes with approval of Commonwealth and/or State or Territory Health Authorities."

Schedule 9 drugs are Prohibited Substances and must only be used for research purposes. Selling, distributing, manufacturing and using of drugs listed under Schedule 9 is strictly prohibited.

Examples of Schedule 9 drugs include:

• Cannabis, for any use other than listed under Schedule 8
• Coca leaf
• DMT
• Heroin
• LSD
• MDMA
• Mephedrone
• Phenibut

Schedule 10

The Department of Health and Aged Care declares that Schedule 9 substance are Substances of such danger to health as to warrant prohibition of supply and use

"Substances which are prohibited for the purpose or purposes listed for each poison."

The list of Schedule 10 Drugs has yet to be listed. But list is available in reference