Page 5328 - Week 17 - Thursday, 13 December 1990
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been prepared to bring them into line with the standard. The last update of the schedules in the Act was on 21 December 1988.
I would like to briefly explain the different schedules dealt with by the amendments. Schedule 1, S1, medicinal poisons, covers poisons of sufficient danger to health to warrant their being available only from medical practitioners, pharmacists or veterinary surgeons. The purpose of this schedule is to ensure that these potentially dangerous substances are sold under the direct supervision of the poisons licence holder and a record of the transaction is made.
Schedule 2, S2, medicinal poisons, covers poisons for therapeutic use that are available to the public only from pharmacies and from persons licensed to sell schedule 2 poisons. Medicinal poisons in schedule 2 are used to treat minor illnesses and include the commonly used cough and cold preparations, analgesics and local anaesthetics. The purpose of the schedule is to ensure that those medicines are readily available to the public while, at the same time, reasonable controls are exercised on their package size, warning and cautionary labels. This type of scheduling affords the opportunity for the patient to receive counselling and appropriate treatment at the point of sale.
Schedule 3, S3, potent medicinal poisons, covers poisons for therapeutic use that are sufficiently dangerous or liable to abuse to warrant their availability to the public being restricted to supply by pharmacists, medical practitioners, dentists or veterinary surgeons where professional control, advice on use and monitoring of sales can be carried out. The purpose of this schedule is to ensure that appropriate counselling is available with each sale, which is achieved by requiring schedule 3 items to be stored out of access of customers.
Schedule 4, S4, prescription only medicinal poisons, covers poisons that should, in the public interest, be restricted to medicinal, dental or veterinary prescription or supply. The purpose of this schedule is to ensure correct diagnosis and treatment of illness and to limit the possibility of abuse. Accordingly, schedule 4 items may be supplied only on a valid prescription that has a life of 12 months, and there must be adequate instructions and labelling.
Schedule 5, S5, domestic poisons, covers poisons of a hazardous nature that must be readily available to the public but require caution in handling, storage and use. They must be packaged in a container that is readily distinguishable from any container from which food or drink is supplied and carry special warnings and first aid instructions. The purpose of this schedule is to ensure that these poisons are sold in safe containers and that they are adequately labelled with warning and first aid statements.
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