Request

Your request for information dated 22 April 2026 is copied below.

Under the Freedom of Information Act, could you inform me who authorised police custody staff in Elgin to sign for and store wholesale amounts of methadone on behalf of NHS Grampian.

It is my belief that holding wholesale amounts of methadone (a Schedule 2 Controlled Drug) and signing for it on behalf of a health board requires strict adherence to the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 and the Controlled Drugs (Supervision of Management and Use) Regulations 2013. Such activities are considered wholesale supply, which generally requires a Wholesale Dealer’s Authorisation (WDA) from the MHRA, unless specifically exempted.

Does Police Scotland hold such an exemption? Do Police Scotland have the correct procedures I place. 

Holding wholesale amounts of methadone (a Schedule 2 Controlled Drug) and signing for it on behalf of a health board requires strict adherence to the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 and the Controlled Drugs (Supervision of Management and Use) Regulations 2013. Such activities are considered wholesale supply, which generally requires a Wholesale Dealer’s Authorisation (WDA) from the MHRA, unless specifically exempted.

Signing and Receiving Methadone on Behalf of a Health Board

• Authorized Signer: Only specific, trained, and authorized personnel (e.g., pharmacists, registered nurses, or designated medical professionals) should sign for and receive wholesale deliveries.
• Requisition Requirements: A written requisition must be signed by an authorised person, detailing the quantity, purpose, and the name/address of the organisation.
• Receiving Procedures: The person receiving the package must ensure it is intact and formally acknowledge receipt.
• Check Against Order: When products arrive, they must be checked against the original order, and the register must be updated, ensuring that the person holding the license is legally responsible for the storage.