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Drug laws and licensing

Back to Domestic licences

Companies

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).

Read the security guidance

Read the SOP guidance

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:

Download Thefts and Losses Form

Home Office websites