Controlled Drug in the United Kingdom classification of medicines. Special responsibilities are placed upon pharmaceutical wholesalers, pharmacies and doctors in the stocking, distribution, issuing of prescriptions, supply and disposal of items listed under the first three of the schedules. The regulations have been further tightened since Dr Harold Shipman used diamorphine to murder hundreds of his patients during the late 20th century. Drugs which are not used medically, and thus their possession and supply is prohibited; e.g. cannabis and LSD except when licensed by the Home Office to carry out research. Substances subject to the full controlled drug requirements; e.g. diamorphine (heroin), pethidine, cocaine, methadone, methylphenidate,
Legal drug trade countries, where alcohol and its users could be treated in a way resembling the harassment and prosecution of illegal drug users in western countries, in cultural defiance of the UN's worldwide prohibition. They are also the most important public health concern, as a result of prohibition of certain other drugs. Legal drug trade Legal drug trade, as with other goods object of commerce, in opposition to smuggling or "illegal" drug trade, most psychotropic substances' commerce is under control and taxation by world governments, regardless of the relative perceived danger of the goods that are the object of legislation. Legal commerce