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Royal Pharmaceutical Society
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Holyrood Park House
106 Holyrood Road,
Edinburgh
106 Holyrood Road,
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EH8 8AS
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Defining New or Novel Psychoactive Substances
Questions on developing a definition of NPS
| A wide range of stakeholders across Scotland, not only those involved in enforcement, should adopt the definition set out in the Psychoactive Substances Bill (as outlined in Proposal One). Strongly disagree Radio button: Not checked Strongly disagree | A wide range of stakeholders across Scotland, not only those involved in enforcement, should adopt the definition set out in the Psychoactive Substances Bill (as outlined in Proposal One). Disagree Radio button: Not checked Disagree | A wide range of stakeholders across Scotland, not only those involved in enforcement, should adopt the definition set out in the Psychoactive Substances Bill (as outlined in Proposal One). Somewhat disagree Radio button: Not checked Somewhat disagree | A wide range of stakeholders across Scotland, not only those involved in enforcement, should adopt the definition set out in the Psychoactive Substances Bill (as outlined in Proposal One). Neither agree nor disagree Radio button: Not checked Neither agree nor disagree | A wide range of stakeholders across Scotland, not only those involved in enforcement, should adopt the definition set out in the Psychoactive Substances Bill (as outlined in Proposal One). Somewhat agree Radio button: Not checked Somewhat agree | A wide range of stakeholders across Scotland, not only those involved in enforcement, should adopt the definition set out in the Psychoactive Substances Bill (as outlined in Proposal One). Agree Radio button: Checked Agree | A wide range of stakeholders across Scotland, not only those involved in enforcement, should adopt the definition set out in the Psychoactive Substances Bill (as outlined in Proposal One). Strongly agree Radio button: Not checked Strongly agree | A wide range of stakeholders across Scotland, not only those involved in enforcement, should adopt the definition set out in the Psychoactive Substances Bill (as outlined in Proposal One). Don't know Radio button: Not checked Don't know |
| In addition, stakeholders should categorise NPS based on their intended effect(s) (as outlined in Proposal Two). Strongly disagree Radio button: Not checked Strongly disagree | In addition, stakeholders should categorise NPS based on their intended effect(s) (as outlined in Proposal Two). Disagree Radio button: Not checked Disagree | In addition, stakeholders should categorise NPS based on their intended effect(s) (as outlined in Proposal Two). Somewhat disagree Radio button: Not checked Somewhat disagree | In addition, stakeholders should categorise NPS based on their intended effect(s) (as outlined in Proposal Two). Neither agree nor disagree Radio button: Not checked Neither agree nor disagree | In addition, stakeholders should categorise NPS based on their intended effect(s) (as outlined in Proposal Two). Somewhat agree Radio button: Not checked Somewhat agree | In addition, stakeholders should categorise NPS based on their intended effect(s) (as outlined in Proposal Two). Agree Radio button: Checked Agree | In addition, stakeholders should categorise NPS based on their intended effect(s) (as outlined in Proposal Two). Strongly agree Radio button: Not checked Strongly agree | In addition, stakeholders should categorise NPS based on their intended effect(s) (as outlined in Proposal Two). Don't know Radio button: Not checked Don't know |
| The categories outlined in Proposal Two could be applied accurately by people who are not experts in NPS Strongly disagree Radio button: Not checked Strongly disagree | The categories outlined in Proposal Two could be applied accurately by people who are not experts in NPS Disagree Radio button: Not checked Disagree | The categories outlined in Proposal Two could be applied accurately by people who are not experts in NPS Somewhat disagree Radio button: Not checked Somewhat disagree | The categories outlined in Proposal Two could be applied accurately by people who are not experts in NPS Neither agree nor disagree Radio button: Not checked Neither agree nor disagree | The categories outlined in Proposal Two could be applied accurately by people who are not experts in NPS Somewhat agree Radio button: Not checked Somewhat agree | The categories outlined in Proposal Two could be applied accurately by people who are not experts in NPS Agree Radio button: Checked Agree | The categories outlined in Proposal Two could be applied accurately by people who are not experts in NPS Strongly agree Radio button: Not checked Strongly agree | The categories outlined in Proposal Two could be applied accurately by people who are not experts in NPS Don't know Radio button: Not checked Don't know |
If you disagree, what additional information would be needed?
More clarity on the definition of some terms which are not so widely know e.g. Empathogens , Dissociatives
Identifying and detecting NPS: proposals to establish a Forensic Centre for Excellence
Questions on the functions of a Forensic Centre for Excellence
| If a Forensic Centre for Excellence carried out the functions suggested above, it would address the most pressing gaps in knowledge about NPS. Strong disagree Radio button: Not checked Strong disagree | If a Forensic Centre for Excellence carried out the functions suggested above, it would address the most pressing gaps in knowledge about NPS. Disagree Radio button: Not checked Disagree | If a Forensic Centre for Excellence carried out the functions suggested above, it would address the most pressing gaps in knowledge about NPS. Somewhat disagree Radio button: Not checked Somewhat disagree | If a Forensic Centre for Excellence carried out the functions suggested above, it would address the most pressing gaps in knowledge about NPS. Neither agree nor disagree Radio button: Not checked Neither agree nor disagree | If a Forensic Centre for Excellence carried out the functions suggested above, it would address the most pressing gaps in knowledge about NPS. Somewhat agree Radio button: Not checked Somewhat agree | If a Forensic Centre for Excellence carried out the functions suggested above, it would address the most pressing gaps in knowledge about NPS. Agree Radio button: Checked Agree | If a Forensic Centre for Excellence carried out the functions suggested above, it would address the most pressing gaps in knowledge about NPS. Strongly agree Radio button: Not checked Strongly agree | If a Forensic Centre for Excellence carried out the functions suggested above, it would address the most pressing gaps in knowledge about NPS. Don't know Radio button: Not checked Don't know |
Please provide more detail:
There is an important role for the centre to disseminate public advice and provide public education on the harms and how to deal with anyone believed to be under the influence of any NPS and any other aspects which would be considered informative and helpful from a public health perspective.
The centre should link with the Medicines Information database which is a useful resource for health professionals and also co0llates adverse events information.
We would only mention a cautious note in regard to spending large resources on substances which are changing and evolving all the time which could render some work redundant very rapidly. Focus should be on areas where organised crime and large scale availability or serious harm are evident.
The centre should link with the Medicines Information database which is a useful resource for health professionals and also co0llates adverse events information.
We would only mention a cautious note in regard to spending large resources on substances which are changing and evolving all the time which could render some work redundant very rapidly. Focus should be on areas where organised crime and large scale availability or serious harm are evident.
Would your organisation be capable of delivering any of the potential functions suggested above?
Some of our members are substance misuse specialist pharmacists who would be capable of inputtingexpertise into any national standards and must be inckluded in any exopert working groups
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Questions on identifying NPS for the purposes of prosecution
| The organisations listed in Box 1 should be key priority areas for submitting NPS samples to a Forensic Centre of Excellence. Strong disagree Radio button: Not checked Strong disagree | The organisations listed in Box 1 should be key priority areas for submitting NPS samples to a Forensic Centre of Excellence. Disagree Radio button: Not checked Disagree | The organisations listed in Box 1 should be key priority areas for submitting NPS samples to a Forensic Centre of Excellence. Somewhat disagree Radio button: Not checked Somewhat disagree | The organisations listed in Box 1 should be key priority areas for submitting NPS samples to a Forensic Centre of Excellence. Neither agree nor disagree Radio button: Not checked Neither agree nor disagree | The organisations listed in Box 1 should be key priority areas for submitting NPS samples to a Forensic Centre of Excellence. Somewhat agree Radio button: Checked Somewhat agree | The organisations listed in Box 1 should be key priority areas for submitting NPS samples to a Forensic Centre of Excellence. Agree Radio button: Not checked Agree | The organisations listed in Box 1 should be key priority areas for submitting NPS samples to a Forensic Centre of Excellence. Strongly agree Radio button: Not checked Strongly agree | The organisations listed in Box 1 should be key priority areas for submitting NPS samples to a Forensic Centre of Excellence. Don't know Radio button: Not checked Don't know |
| In addition to the organisations listed in Box 1, NHS Emergency Departments should also be able to submit biological samples for testing. Strong disagree Radio button: Not checked Strong disagree | In addition to the organisations listed in Box 1, NHS Emergency Departments should also be able to submit biological samples for testing. Disagree Radio button: Not checked Disagree | In addition to the organisations listed in Box 1, NHS Emergency Departments should also be able to submit biological samples for testing. Somewhat disagree Radio button: Not checked Somewhat disagree | In addition to the organisations listed in Box 1, NHS Emergency Departments should also be able to submit biological samples for testing. Neither agree nor disagree Radio button: Not checked Neither agree nor disagree | In addition to the organisations listed in Box 1, NHS Emergency Departments should also be able to submit biological samples for testing. Somewhat agree Radio button: Not checked Somewhat agree | In addition to the organisations listed in Box 1, NHS Emergency Departments should also be able to submit biological samples for testing. Agree Radio button: Not checked Agree | In addition to the organisations listed in Box 1, NHS Emergency Departments should also be able to submit biological samples for testing. Strongly agree Radio button: Checked Strongly agree | In addition to the organisations listed in Box 1, NHS Emergency Departments should also be able to submit biological samples for testing. Don't know Radio button: Not checked Don't know |
Please provide details of any other organisation that you think would represent priority areas for submitting NPS samples for identification:
Community addiction teams and NHS health board specialist substance misuse pharmacists or other health professionals involved in client care might have occasion to need identification where clients are using NPS in addition to opiod substitution therapy or any other over the counter or prescription medicines .
We would not envisage this being something which would be have any substantial impact on resources but would not like those groups excluded in case the requirement arose .
We would not envisage this being something which would be have any substantial impact on resources but would not like those groups excluded in case the requirement arose .
Questions on collecting data on harms associated with NPS
| Where possible, it would be useful if NHS Emergency Departments captured and held data on harms associated with specific NPS samples Strong disagree Radio button: Not checked Strong disagree | Where possible, it would be useful if NHS Emergency Departments captured and held data on harms associated with specific NPS samples Disagree Radio button: Not checked Disagree | Where possible, it would be useful if NHS Emergency Departments captured and held data on harms associated with specific NPS samples Somewhat disagree Radio button: Not checked Somewhat disagree | Where possible, it would be useful if NHS Emergency Departments captured and held data on harms associated with specific NPS samples Neither agree nor disagree Radio button: Not checked Neither agree nor disagree | Where possible, it would be useful if NHS Emergency Departments captured and held data on harms associated with specific NPS samples Somewhat agree Radio button: Not checked Somewhat agree | Where possible, it would be useful if NHS Emergency Departments captured and held data on harms associated with specific NPS samples Agree Radio button: Not checked Agree | Where possible, it would be useful if NHS Emergency Departments captured and held data on harms associated with specific NPS samples Strongly agree Radio button: Checked Strongly agree | Where possible, it would be useful if NHS Emergency Departments captured and held data on harms associated with specific NPS samples Don't know Radio button: Not checked Don't know |
If you agree, please provide more detail about how this could work:
Having this available on Toxbase or the MI ( Medicines Information ) database would seem the most appropriate option to give easy and appropriate access to those who might require it in a variety of circumstances .
| Once anonymised, these data on harms relating to specific NPS should be shared with other stakeholders in Scotland Strong disagree Radio button: Not checked Strong disagree | Once anonymised, these data on harms relating to specific NPS should be shared with other stakeholders in Scotland Disagree Radio button: Not checked Disagree | Once anonymised, these data on harms relating to specific NPS should be shared with other stakeholders in Scotland Somewhat disagree Radio button: Not checked Somewhat disagree | Once anonymised, these data on harms relating to specific NPS should be shared with other stakeholders in Scotland Neither agree nor disagree Radio button: Not checked Neither agree nor disagree | Once anonymised, these data on harms relating to specific NPS should be shared with other stakeholders in Scotland Somewhat agree Radio button: Not checked Somewhat agree | Once anonymised, these data on harms relating to specific NPS should be shared with other stakeholders in Scotland Agree Radio button: Not checked Agree | Once anonymised, these data on harms relating to specific NPS should be shared with other stakeholders in Scotland Strongly agree Radio button: Checked Strongly agree | Once anonymised, these data on harms relating to specific NPS should be shared with other stakeholders in Scotland Don't know Radio button: Not checked Don't know |
If you agree, please provide more detail about the specific stakeholders that would benefit from this information:
It is difficult to be specific on who would benefit from accessing this information but in general it should be available to health and social care professional and specifically anyone involved in the treatment of substance misuse . .
The dangers and harms should also be available to the public to encourage good decision making and reduce risk taking behaviour .
The dangers and harms should also be available to the public to encourage good decision making and reduce risk taking behaviour .
Improving information sharing on NPS
Questions on improving information sharing on NPS
If a Centre for Excellence was to share information on NPS, what information would you find most useful?
Harms and dangers from any use and particularly when mixed with other medicines or other substances.
What to expect from behaviour of those under the influence .
Legal status
What to expect from behaviour of those under the influence .
Legal status
How frequently would you want to receive/access this information?
When a major new substance becomes available on the streets and is emerging as a potential problem.
Do you have any other suggestions about how a Centre for Excellence could or should share information more widely?:
Bulletins or alerts as required would be useful .
Questions on alerts and warnings
| It should be the role of a Forensic Centre for Excellence to manage and disseminate alerts on new and potentially harmful NPS. Strong disagree Radio button: Not checked Strong disagree | It should be the role of a Forensic Centre for Excellence to manage and disseminate alerts on new and potentially harmful NPS. Disagree Radio button: Not checked Disagree | It should be the role of a Forensic Centre for Excellence to manage and disseminate alerts on new and potentially harmful NPS. Somewhat disagree Radio button: Not checked Somewhat disagree | It should be the role of a Forensic Centre for Excellence to manage and disseminate alerts on new and potentially harmful NPS. Neither agree nor disagree Radio button: Not checked Neither agree nor disagree | It should be the role of a Forensic Centre for Excellence to manage and disseminate alerts on new and potentially harmful NPS. Somewhat agree Radio button: Not checked Somewhat agree | It should be the role of a Forensic Centre for Excellence to manage and disseminate alerts on new and potentially harmful NPS. Agree Radio button: Not checked Agree | It should be the role of a Forensic Centre for Excellence to manage and disseminate alerts on new and potentially harmful NPS. Strongly agree Radio button: Checked Strongly agree | It should be the role of a Forensic Centre for Excellence to manage and disseminate alerts on new and potentially harmful NPS. Don't know Radio button: Not checked Don't know |