Drug laws and licensing
Licensing
Companies and individuals within England, Wales or Scotland need to apply for Home Office licences if they wish to produce, supply, possess or import/export controlled drugs.
What's new
7 January 2009 - Group Authority for NHS Ambulance Paramedics & NHS Ambulance Trusts
NHS Ambulance Trusts and their paramedics have, since 08 July 2008, been covered by a Group Authority and do not need to apply individually to the Home Office for a licence to possess and supply controlled drugs to registered paramedics.
The Group Authority covers all NHS ambulance trusts and their registered paramedics. An ambulance trust's accountable officer is responsible for safe storage, supply and destruction of any unused and/or expired controlled drugs.
The Group Authority also covers registered paramedics employed by a NHS ambulance trust. A separate Group Authority covers all other registered paramedics.
View the Group Authority for other registered paramedics
1 January 2009 - Home Office Drugs Licensing to be renamed Home Office Drugs Licensing & Compliance Unit
View the revised contact details including new postal address.
Who needs a licence?
The Home Office Drugs Licensing is the UK's competent authority for the purposes of the United Nations Conventions on controlled drugs.
We issue licenses for those who work with controlled drugs, including:
- companies and other organisations that intend to work with controlled drugs and precursor chemicals
- doctors prescribing certain drugs to addicts
- people taking their prescribed controlled drugs abroad
For more information, please read our general guidance.
Explore this section:
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Licence application forms for businesses, companies, other organisations and doctors.
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Licence application form for individuals planning to travel with controlled drugs.
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Licence application forms for companies intending to import/export controlled drugs.
Annual statement of compliance
Annual statement of compliance for completion by all licensees.
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Annual returns forms for completion where required, by businesses, companies and other organisations licensed to produce, possess and supply controlled drugs.
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Licence application forms for businesses, companies and other organisations trading in or using precursor chemicals.
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Contact details for Drugs Licensing & Compliance Unit.
