This document summarises the legislation pertaining to Narcotics, Narcotic Precursors, Hazardous Substances, and so-called Substances Under Investigation (In Swedish).
Narcotics and medicines classified as narcotics
According to the Narcotic Drugs Control Act (1992:860), Section 7, narcotics may be held without a permit by the head of a scientific institution that is owned or supported by the state. Further details are available on the Swedish Medical Products Agency’s website.
Substances classified as narcotics are itemised in the Medical Products Agency's regulation concerning schedules of narcotic drugs (LVFS 2011:10). This regulation is updated regularly to include new substances. Amendments and so-called consolidated regulations, which compile changes, can be accessed via the Swedish Medical Products Agency’s website under the section for laws and regulations, organised by subject.
Requirements for handling narcotics and narcotic-classified drugs
- Access Control: Access to narcotics should be restricted to a limited number of authorized individuals. It is required to maintain a record within the operation documenting who is permitted to handle narcotics, as stipulated by LVFS 2011:9 §26. The specific narcotic substances being handled must be listed, and this record should be updated immediately upon any change. All documentation must be retained for five years.
- Record-Keeping: A meticulous narcotics log must be kept to ensure the traceability of all narcotics and narcotic-classified drugs, detailing quantities that are purchased, imported, exported, utilized, or discarded. This log must be continuously updated and available for review by the Swedish Medical Products Agency upon request. Additionally, an annual summary of narcotics records must be compiled. All records should be preserved for five years.
- Inventory Checks: An annual inventory of narcotics and narcotic-classified drugs is mandatory, with the actual quantity on hand being reconciled against the recorded stock balance. Discrepancies must be investigated and documented, and unexplained variances must be reported to the head of the department or equivalent. In cases where theft or loss is suspected, the security manager must also be notified.
- Annual Reporting: The requirement for the head of a scientific institution to submit annual reports to the Medical Products Agency on narcotics possession has been abolished, although this update may not be reflected on the Agency's website.
- Other Requirements: There may be additional reporting requirements for permissions related to the import or export of narcotics.
- Secure Storage: Narcotics must be stored securely to ensure that only authorized personnel can access them. This typically involves locking them in a dedicated cabinet or another secure location.
Narcotic (Drug) Precursors
Narcotic (drug) precursors are substances that can be used in the manufacture of illicit drugs. One way to curb the availability of illegal narcotics is to restrict access to the chemicals required for their production. Consequently, handling narcotic (drug) precursors often requires authorisation or registration with the Swedish Medical Products Agency. Export, import, and trade in all classes of narcotic (drug) precursors also often require authorisation.
Information on the application process and on which substances are subject to authorisation and registration requirements is available on the Swedish Medical Products Agency’s website; see the link under Guidance and links – About drug precursors, from the Swedish Medical Products Agency.
What is covered
Authorisation is required for substances in Category 1, for example ephedrine, ergometrine, ergotamine, chloroephedrine, chlorpseudoephedrine and lysergic acid.
See EU Regulation 273/2004 on drug precursors for a list of the substances subject to the authorisation requirement; a link is available on the right under Guidance and links.
Registration is required for substances in Category 2A: acetic anhydride and red phosphorus, where the operation holds, in total, 100 litres or more of acetic anhydride or 0.1 kg of red phosphorus (possession over a 12-month period).
For possession alone of substances in Categories 2B and 3, neither registration nor authorisation is required; however, registration is required prior to import and export.
How to apply
For information on how to apply for authorisation and registration, see the Swedish Medical Products Agency’s website; a link is available on the right under Guidance and links. The authorisation is valid for one calendar year (January–December).
The application must include information such as which narcotic (drug)precursors are concerned, the quantities to be handled, and where they are to be used; this information is to be provided in a form or equivalent available on the Swedish Medical Products Agency’s website.
The following must be enclosed with the application:
- A completed LiU power of attorney, signed by an authorised signatory at LiU. A template for the LiU power of attorney concerning narcotic (drug) precursors is available on the right under Guidance and links.
- The Head of Department (or equivalent) must be included in the circulation list for the power of attorney, so that they are informed that such an authorisation is being applied for within the department or equivalent unit.
- Where necessary, an appendix providing a more detailed description, as the space on the form or equivalent may be limited.
- The application must be recorded at the relevant department or equivalent unit together with the appendices submitted.
Why do we need a power of attorney?
- If the application is not signed by a person who is an authorised signatory for LiU, the Swedish Medical Products Agency requires a power of attorney.
- The power of attorney can be used for up to five years, which facilitates future application processes.
- Signatories at LiU are determined by a specific decision by the vice-chancellor (Rektor), “generell rätt att teckna universitetets firma", which is available in LiUdok and is usually updated annually.
Goods dangerous to health
Goods dangerous to health are substances that, by virtue of their intrinsic properties, pose a risk to human life or health. These substances are used, or presumed to be used, with the intention of inducing intoxication or other effects. To regulate their availability, authorisation from the Public Health Agency of Sweden (Folkhälsomyndigheten, FHM) is mandatory prior to using a substance classified as goods dangerous to health. Information on goods dangerous to health and the authorisation application process is available on the Public Health Agency of Sweden's website.
What is covered
The most recent update on which substances are covered by the requirements for goods dangerous to health is set out in the annex to the “Prohibition of Certain Goods Dangerous to Health Ordinance (1999:58)”, a link is available on the right under Guidance and links.
How to apply
For information on how to apply for authorisation, please refer to the website of the Public Health Agency of Sweden; a link is available on the right under Guidance and Links. The authorisation is valid for a12 month period.
The application must include information such as which hazardous substances are concerned, the quantities to be handled, and where they will be used. This information must be provided in a form or equivalent document available on the website of the Public Health Agency of Sweden.
The following must be enclosed with the application:
- A completed LiU power of attorney, signed by an authorised signatory at LiU. A template for the LiU power of attorney concerning goods dangerous to health is available on the right under Guidance and links.
- The Head of Department (or equivalent) must be included in the circulation list for the power of attorney, so that they are informed that such an authorisation is being applied for within the department or equivalent.
- Where necessary, an appendix providing a more detailed description, as the space on the form or equivalent may be limited.
- The application must be recorded at the relevant department or equivalent unit together with the appendices submitted.
Why do we need a power of attorney?
- If the application is not signed by a person who is an authorised signatory for LiU, the Public Health Agency of Sweden requires a power of attorney.
- The power of attorney can be used for up to five years, which facilitates future application processes.
- Signatories at LiU are determined by a specific decision by the vice-chancellor (Rektor), “generell rätt att teckna universitetets firma", which is available in LiUdok and is usually updated annually.