Drug laws and licensing
Back to Domestic licencesCompanies
Any company that wishes to produce, supply or possess controlled drugs will need a Home Office domestic licence. Please refer to the list of controlled drugs to identify your licence requirements
Applying for a domestic licence
Anybody who applies for a domestic licence must ensure that they have read the relevant guidance regarding security and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
Once you have read the guidance you will need to fill in a domestic licence application.
This is now done online. If you are an existing licensee please contact us before you apply if you do not have your log-in password.
Apply for a domestic licence online (new window)
Once we have received your online application it will be assessed to ensure that the security and record-keeping requirements have been met.
At present please allow a minimum of twelve weeks for your application to be processed.
There are certain licensing exceptions:
Private Hospitals require licences for Schedule 1 and 2 drugs only.
NHS Hospitals only require a licence for Schedule 1 drugs.
University research departments do not require licences to possess and supply drugs in Schedules 2, 3, 4 Part I, 4 Part II and Schedule 5, but they do require licences to produce any of those drugs and to produce, possess and/or supply drugs in Schedule 1.
Once a licence has been issued it is the responsibility of the licensee to inform the Home Office of any adverse incidents.
Reporting thefts and losses:
This should be done using the thefts and losses form:
