Poisons

Question 1

Which 5 areas were impacted by the changes to the poisons act in 1978?

Answer 1

1. licensing of regulated poisons and explosive precursors
2. labelling
3. suspicious transaction reporting
4. removal of registration requirements
5. enforcement

Question 2

What do members of the public require when wanting to purchase these products?

Answer 2

Must present valid license and photographic ID

Question 3

Does licensing apply to business to business transactions?

Answer 3

no

Question 4

What information is needed when a member of the public wishes to obtain a license?

Answer 4

• personal information
• photographic ID
• type and volume of poison they’d like to purchase, and the intended use
• background criminal and health security check

Question 5

What is the process that should be followed if someone came into the pharmacy wishing to purchase a poison or explosive precursor?

Answer 5

• ask for license and valid associated form of ID
• a valid form of ID would be a UK/EU passport, biometric residence permit or a UK driving license
• need to check license and photographic ID match and belong to purchaser
• need to check the license matches what they are planning to buy
• ensure correct volume against license
• record details of sale on license
• record details of sale in poisons register
• engage in conversation about the intend use

Question 6

Why can and must you refuse the sale of these products?

Answer 6

• no license or ID
• License tampered with or altered
• license out of date or no longer valid
• license and photographic ID do not belong to purchaser
• third party sales not permitted
• attempting to obtain substance not on their license
• exceeding quantity on the license

Question 7

What should you do in the event of a refused sale?

Answer 7

• may wish to contact other pharmacies to alert them of the refused sale
• explain to customer why it has been refused, criminal offence to supply without license
• report to anti terrorism if you believe purchaser is acting in a suspicious way

Question 8

What could be a reason for the transaction to be regarded suspicious?

Answer 8

• been previously refused
• stolen/altered license
• not familiar with regular use
• refuse alternative products
• cash
• different delivery or packaging requests
• report disappearance or theft
• failure to report is liable to fine or imprisonment

Question 9

What must be on the label of a poison or explosive precursor?

Answer 9

‘acquisition, possession or use by the general public is restricted’

Question 10

Who is responsible for the enforcement of legislation around poisons?

Answer 10

Police

Question 11

What are the offences and penalties surrounding poisons?

Answer 11

• importation/acquisiton/possession/use without a valid license
• selling/supplying to person without verifying possession of a valid license
• failure to report suspicious transactions or significant disappearances or thefts
• failure to ensure appropriate labels are attached to packaging