Ketamine rescheduling consultation now open
Ketamine is widely used in the veterinary profession, as well as recreationally.
A twelve-week public consultation on the appropriate schedule in which ketamine should be listed is currently underway and will run until November 3, 2014.
Earlier this year, changes of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 came into force, which included the reclassification of ketamine as a Class B drug - meaning that the maximum penalty for unlawful possession increased from two to five years in jail.
Ketamine, which is widely used in the veterinary profession as an anaesthetic and analgesic, is also used recreationally.
A report by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) revealed that heavy and frequent misuse of ketamine is linked to various physical and psychological problems, including chronic toxicity to the bladder leading to numerous reports of individuals having to have their bladders removed.
As well as suggesting that ketamine be reclassified to Class B, the report suggested that, subject to public consultation, it be rescheduled to Schedule 2 to the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001. It is illegal to possess Schedule 2 drugs without a prescription or to supply or produce them without a licence.
The Minister for Crime Prevention accepted the ACMD advice and on 10 June, 2014 ketamine was reclassified as a Class B drug.
During the consultation, the Home Office is interested to hear the views of the public, especially health and veterinary organisations and professionals, on the appropriate schedule in which ketamine should be listed. A final decision will be made by the Minister after the public consultation. Until then ketamine remains a Schedule 4 Part 1 drug.
An online response page is available for anybody on would like to respond online. The consultation document and consultation stage impact assessment is available at www.gov.uk/government/consultations/ketamine-rescheduling-consultation
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
