ABC classification system

Last Updated on Wed, 04 Dec 2024 | Drug Classification

5. The ABC classification system "was designed to make it possible to control particular drugs according to their comparative harmfulness either to individuals or to society at large when they were misused".6 The ABC system has its origins in the Misuse of Drugs Act (MDA) 1971, which introduced the concept of 'controlled drugs' and (as amended) constitutes the main piece of legislation regulating the availability and use of these drugs. The purpose of the Act was to provide a coherent framework for drug regulation which, until then, had been covered by the Drugs (Regulation of Misuse) Act 1964 and the Dangerous Drugs Acts of 1965 and 1967.

6. The United Nations' Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs 1961 and its attempts to establish a Convention on Psychotropic Substances (eventually ratified in 1971) formed an important backdrop to the UK's efforts to rationalise its legislation in this area. James Callaghan, the then Home Secretary, told Parliament in 1970 that in developing the ABC classification system the Government had used the UN Single Convention and guidance provided by the World Health Organisation to place drugs "in the order in which we think they should be classified of harmfulness and danger".7 Even at that early stage, the Government said that drugs would be classified "according to the accepted dangers and harmfulness in light of current knowledge", with provision "for changes to be made in [...] the light of scientific knowledge".8

7. The Misuse of Drugs Act did not specify why particular drugs were placed in Class A, B or C but did create an Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) to keep the classification of drugs under review. The role and workings of the ACMD are discussed in detail in Chapter 3. The classifications of a selection of controlled drugs are listed in Table 1.9 Since the introduction of the Act, the Government has made a number of changes to the Class of drugs, the most prominent of which was the decision in 2002 to move cannabis from Class B to Class C. Various drugs which were not originally regulated under the Act have also become classified—ketamine, gamma-hydroxy butyrate (GHB) and steroids have all been placed in Class C. Chapter 4 discusses the role played by scientific advice and evidence in determining the Class of cannabis, amphetamines—including ecstasy and methylamphetamine—and magic mushrooms.

6 Ev 53

7 HC Deb, 25 March 1970, col 1453. This was the Government's first attempt to introduce an ABC classification system - the Misuse of Drugs Bill 1970 was not passed but the classification system was eventually introduced under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

8 HC Deb, 25 March 1970, col 1453

9 Correct as of March 2006.

Table 1: Classification of illegal drugs

Classification

Drugs

Maximum penalties

Class A

Heroin, LSD, ecstasy, amphetamines (prepared for injection), cocaine and crack cocaine, magic mushrooms.

For possession: 7 years' imprisonment and/or fine.

For supply: life imprisonment and/or fine.

Class B

Amphetamines, methylamphetamine, barbiturates, codeine.

For possession: 5 years' imprisonment and/or fine.

For supply: 14 years' imprisonment and/or a fine.

Class C

Cannabis, temazepam, anabolic steroids, valium, ketamine, methylphenidate (Ritalin), gamma-hydroxy butyrate (GHB).

For possession: 2 years' imprisonment and/or fine.

For supply: 14 years' imprisonment and/or fine.

8. Under the Misuse of Drugs Act, it is an offence to possess a controlled drug unlawfully; to possess with intent to supply; to supply or offer to supply a controlled drug (even where no charge is made); to allow premises to be used for the purpose of drug taking; and to traffic in drugs.10 While the Act specifies the penalties attracted by offences associated with drugs of different categories, the police and courts retain a degree of discretion in policing and sentencing. The RAND report on the evidence base for the classification system for illegal drugs (see paragraph 10) points out that "in 2004 under 10,000 of the 70,000 drug offences coming before the courts attracted any custodial sentence" and that "In the first three years' operation of the Crime (Sentences) Act 1997, which introduced minimum sentences for those caught dealing in Class A drugs for the third time, only three people were actually sentenced in accordance with the powers of the act".11 We return to the relationship between the classification system and penalties for possession and supply of controlled drugs in Chapter 7.

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Readers' Questions

  • tanja
    Which is the most harmful class a drug or class c drug?
    1 year ago
    • It is not accurate to say that one class of drugs is universally more harmful than another because the harmfulness of a drug can depend on various factors such as the specific drug, dosage, method of use, individual factors, and potential interactions with other substances. However, generally speaking, class A drugs are considered to have a higher potential for harm compared to class C drugs. Class A drugs include substances like heroin, cocaine, ecstasy (MDMA), and LSD, which are considered to be more dangerous due to their potential for addiction, harmful health effects, and social consequences. Class C drugs, on the other hand, include substances such as cannabis, anabolic steroids, and some sedatives. While they can still have potential risks and health consequences, they are generally considered less harmful compared to class A drugs. It is important to note that the classification of drugs can vary by country, and different countries may have different drug classification systems. It is always best to consult with professionals or authoritative sources for specific information about the drugs in question.
    • hagosa
      What are the category a b and c ratings for prescription drugs?
      1 year ago
      • The category ratings for prescription drugs, known as pregnancy risk categories, were previously assigned under the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) system. However, these categories (A, B, C, D, and X) are no longer used. The previous system included the following:
      1. Category A: These drugs showed no risk to the fetus in controlled human studies.
      2. Category B: These drugs showed no fetal risks in animal studies but lacked adequate studies in controlled humans.
      3. Category C: The animal studies revealed adverse effects on the fetus, but there is insufficient human data available, or the drugs have no well-controlled studies in humans.
      4. Category D: These drugs demonstrated risks to the fetus in human studies, but the potential benefits might outweigh the risks in certain situations.
      5. Category X: These drugs demonstrated strong evidence of fetal abnormalities in both human and animal studies. The risks clearly outweigh any potential benefits.
        6. It is important to note that since 20
      6. 15, the FDA has implemented a new system called Pregnancy and Lactation Labeling Rule (PLLR) to provide more comprehensive information on drug risks during pregnancy and lactation. The new system uses detailed sections providing information on the available data and potential risks for pregnant and lactating individuals.
      • maire rosendahl
        Which substance is considered a depressant abc or number?
        1 year ago
        • Alcohol (ethanol) is considered a depressant.
        • Girma Berhane
          What is abc ranking for medications?
          1 year ago
          • ABC ranking for medications is a system used by healthcare professionals to classify drug-related risk. The ABC ranking ranges from A to C, with A being the least dangerous and C being the most dangerous. Drugs that are ranked at A or B are considered generally safe, while drugs ranked at C are deemed potentially unsafe and require more monitoring.
          • verdiana
            What drugs are considered in the abc medical terms?
            1 year ago
            • The drugs considered in the ABC medical terms are antibiotics, anticoagulants, antivirals, bronchodilators, calcium channel blockers, and corticosteroids.
            • maura
              What is pharmaceutical abc ranking?
              1 year ago
              • Pharmaceutical ABC ranking is a system used to rank prescription drugs based on their sales volume. ABC rankings are typically determined by data gathered from pharmaceutical wholesalers. The rankings are used by pharmaceutical manufacturers and retailers to measure the success of their products and to guide promotional strategies.
              • margaret
                When was the a,b,c class of drugs introduced?
                1 year ago
                • The "ABC" class of drugs was first used in the United States in the late 1960s. It was initially developed as an informal way to group drugs according to their potential for abuse. The classifications were based on pharmacological and behavioral characteristics of the drugs, such as their potential to produce euphoria and other psychoactive effects and their potential for dependency or tolerance. The ABC class of drugs is still used today by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency and other law enforcement agencies.
                • conor
                  What is ABC classified drugs?
                  1 year ago
                  • ABC classified drugs are drugs classified under the United States' Controlled Substances Act. These drugs are categorized based on the potential for abuse and are classified as either Schedule I, II, III, IV, or V drugs. Schedule I drugs are considered to be the most dangerous, while Schedule V drugs are considered to be the least dangerous. Examples of Schedule I drugs include heroin and Ecstasy, while examples of Schedule V drugs include cough syrup and certain anticonvulsants.
                  • Josh Munro
                    What are the drugs categories of ABC?
                    1 year ago
                    • ABC's drug categories include:
                    1. Over-the-counter medications
                    2. Prescription medications
                    3. Vitamins and supplements
                    4. Homeopathic remedies
                    5. Natural remedies
                    6. Pet medications
                    7. Allergy and asthma treatments
                    8. Topical treatments
                    9. Pain management medications
                    10. Women's health products
                    • Katrin
                      What is ABC syestem of drug?
                      1 year ago
                      • The ABC system of drug distribution is an automated system of drug inventory management and control. It utilizes barcode technology to track the location and quantity of drugs in a healthcare setting. The ABC system also enables drug orders to be validated and ensures that only authorized personnel can access the drugs.
                      • niklas
                        Who classification of abc drugs?
                        1 year ago
                        • The World Health Organization (WHO) does not classify drugs into categories like ABC Drugs. Different countries may have different systems of classifying drugs, but the WHO does not have an overarching system.