Background:

Schedules I-V of the Washington Uniform Controlled Substances Act

The Washington Uniform Controlled Substances Act organizes certain drugs, substances, and immediate precursors in Schedules I through V. An immediate precursor is a chemical compound that (1) is commonly used in the manufacture of a drug which is itself a controlled substance, (2) is an immediate chemical intermediary, and (3) must be controlled to limit the manufacture of the resultant drug. Drugs, substances, and immediate precursors listed in Schedules I through IV are “controlled substances.”

The Board of Pharmacy (Board) is authorized to add, delete or reschedule substances by rule. The Board may rely on findings of the federal Drug Enforcement Agency or Food and Drug Administration when adding, deleting or rescheduling a substance. If a substance is designated, rescheduled, or deleted as a controlled substance under federal law, statute directs the Board to take similar action.

Schedules I through V of the Washington Uniform Controlled Substances Act were last updated in 1993. Consequently, the drugs and substances listed in the Washington Uniform Controlled Substances Act do not include any changes since 1993 to Schedules I through V as listed in the rules adopted by the Board or in federal law.

Definition of Practitioner

The Washington Uniform Controlled Substances Act defines "practitioner" as a physician, physician assistant, osteopathic physician, surgeon, optometrist, dentist, podiatric physician or surgeon, veterinarian, registered nurse, advanced registered nurse practitioner, licensed practical nurse, pharmacist, or scientific investigator. A practitioner may administer, dispense, manufacture, and prescribe certain controlled substances under the Washington Uniform Controlled Substances Act.

Both osteopathic physician assistants and naturopathic physicians are currently licensed pursuant to Title 18 RCW to practice medicine in Washington, including the prescription of certain controlled substances, but are not included in the definition of "practitioner" provided in the Washington Uniform Controlled Substances Act.

Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis is a neurological disease which may cause any number of different symptoms, including muscle spasms, speech problems, fatigue, and chronic pain. Since 2003 it has been included in the list of diseases for which the Board allows Schedule II non-narcotic stimulants to be prescribed.

Summary of Bill:

Schedules I-V of the Washington Uniform Controlled Substances Act

Schedules I through V of the Washington Uniform Controlled Substances Act will be updated to incorporate changes made to Board of Pharmacy (Board) rules and federal law since 1993. The following 68 drugs, substances, and immediate precursors to drugs are added, removed, or rescheduled:

Schedule I

3,4-methylenedioxy-N-ethylamphetamine and N-hydroxy-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine are removed from Schedule I
levo-alphacetylmethadol is rescheduled from Schedule I to Schedule II
Alpha-ethyltryptamine; 4-Bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine; 2,5-dimethoxy-4-ethylamphetamine; 2,5-dimethoxy-4-(n)-propylthiophenethylamine; 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-ethylamphetamine; N-hydroxy-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine; Alpha-methyltryptamine; 5-methoxy-N,N-diisopropyltryptamine; Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid; Aminorex; N-Benzylpiperazine; Cathinone; and Methcathinone are added to Schedule I

Schedule II

Thebaine-derived butorphanol is removed from Schedule II
Dronabinol is rescheduled from Schedule II to Schedule III
Dihydroetorphine, Oripavine, lisdexamfetamine, remifentanil and Tapentadol are added to Schedule II

Schedule III

Embutramide; FDA-approved products containing gamma-hydroxybutyric acid; and Ketamine are added to Schedule III
31 substances are added to the list of Schedule III anabolic steroids: 3β,17-dihydroxy-5a-androstane; 3α,17β-dihydroxy-5a-androstane; 5α-androstan-3,17-dione; 1-androstenediol; 1-androstenediol; 4-androstenediol; 5-androstenediol; 1-androstenedione; 4-androstenedione; 5-androstenedione; Bolasterone; Calusterone; Δ1-dihydrotestosterone; 4-dihydrotestosterone; Furazabol; 13β-ethyl-17β-hydroxygon-4-en-3-one; 4-hydroxytestosterone; 4-hydroxy-19-nortestosterone; Mestanolone; 17α-methyl-3β,17β-dihydroxy-5a-androstane; 17α-methyl-3α,17β-dihydroxy-5a-androstane; 17α-methyl-3β,17β-dihydroxyandrost-4-ene; 17α-methyl-4-hydroxynandrolone; Methyldienolone; Methyltrienolone; 17α-methyl-Δ1-dihydrotestosterone; 19-nor-4-androstenediol; 19-nor-4-androstenediol;19-nor-5-androstenediol; 19-nor-5-androstenediol; 19-nor-4-androstenedione; 19-nor-5-androstenedione; Norbolethone; Norclostebol; Normethandrolone; and Tetrahydrogestrinone

Schedule IV

Dichloralphenazore, zaleplon, zolpidem, zopiclone, modafinil, sibutramine, fenfluramine, and butorphanol are added to Schedule IV

Schedule V

Burenorphine is rescheduled from Schedule V to Schedule III
Lacosamid and Pregabalin are added to Schedule V

Definition of Practitioner

The definition of "practitioner" is updated to include osteopathic physician assistants and naturopathic physicians.

Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis is added to the list of diseases and conditions for which a Schedule II non-narcotic stimulant may be prescribed, dispensed, or administered.