Controlled Substances

The term “Controlled Substance” as defined by the Controlled Substance Act, means a drug or other substance, or immediate precursor that is included in any of the following Schedules.Schedule I,  Schedule II ,  Schedule III,  Schedule IV,  Schedule V .

How do you place an order for controlled substances?

• Approved individuals are the only ones that may only place orders for controlled substances. Click Here for Approval Process.   If you are an approved individual, all requests for controlled substances must be submitted via Purchase Request along with a justification and description of usage.  All purchases of controlled substances will made through Purchasing; do not order any Controlled Substances with a credit card.  If you have any questions please contact Nancy Mayo at ext. 5167 or nmayo@mail.ncifcrf.gov.      

How do you keep track of controlled substances within your lab?

• Log Books are used to provide chronological records of receipt and disbursement of controlled substances. 
• Each time a controlled substance is received or disbursed and entry should be made.  All entries in the log boo should include the following:  date, purpose (what the substance will be used for), signature of the person using or receiving the substance, and an updated balance that accurately reflects the amount on-hand.
• Please be consistent with the measurement units used.
• All controlled substances should be stored in a secure area or preferably a locked cabinet.  The logbook should be kept with the controlled substances.

Alcohol Book with Link                   Controlled Substance Logbook

How do you know if a drug is a controlled substance?

• Check the label for the following designation, a C with roman numerals near it describing what schedule the drugs belongs to.
• Refer to the nearest Physicians Desk Reference, Red Book, or Veterinary Pharmaceuticals and Biologicals Handbook.
• Under the controlled substance Definition Section of this website, use the Substance Quick Lists that are broken down by schedule. Link Here
• Call the manufacturer for assistance or check the Material Safety Data Sheet

What is the proper way to dispose of a controlled substance?

• Please contact the Waste Management Department at ext. 5718 for disposal.  The Waste Management Department will pick up the controlled substance and update the Log Book accordingly.

What to do if a controlled substance is missing from your lab?

• Contact Protective Services immediately at ext. 1091 and report the substance missing.

What are some of the more common controlled substances that are used in laboratories?

Schedule I Controlled Substance

• Any drug or substance that has a high potential for abuse

• A drug or other substance that has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States
• Any drug or substance where there is a lack of accepted safety for use of the drug or other substance under medical supervision

Schedule II Controlled Substances

• Any drug or substance that has a high potential for abuse

• Any drug or substance that has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United Sates or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions
• Abuse of this drug or other substances that may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence

Schedule III Controlled Substances

• Any drug or other substance that has a potential for abuse less than the drugs or substances in Schedules I or II
• Any drug or other substance that has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States
• Abuse of this drug or other substance may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence

Schedule IV Controlled Substances

• Any drug or substance that has a low potential for abuse relative to the drugs or other substances in Schedule III
• Any drug or other substance that has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States
• Abuse of this drug or other substance may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to the drugs or other substances in Schedule III

Schedule V Controlled Substances.

• Any drug or other substance that has a low potential for abuse relative to the drugs or other substances in Schedule IV
• Any drug or other substance that has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States
• Abuse of this drug or other substance may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to the drugs or other substances in Schedule IV

Quick List Schedules

Quick Reference List, not comprehensive.  This list describes the basic or parent chemical and does not describe the salts, isomers, and salts of the isomers, esters, ethers and derivatives which may also be controlled substances.