Pharmacy PEBC Practice Exam

Which schedule of drugs is the most controlled according to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act?

1. Schedule II

2. Schedule III

3. Schedule I

4. Schedule IV

The correct answer is: Schedule I

The most controlled schedule of drugs, according to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, is Schedule I. This classification includes substances that have a high potential for abuse, which can lead to severe psychological or physical dependence. Drugs in this category are subject to strict regulations, including limitations on distribution, prescribing, and possession. Schedule I drugs generally include opioids, certain stimulants, and hallucinogens that are considered to pose significant risks to public health and safety. The level of control enforced on these substances is intended to minimize their misuse while allowing for limited use under medical supervision when deemed necessary. Other schedules, such as Schedule II, Schedule III, and Schedule IV, represent decreasing levels of control, with Schedule II including substances with a high potential for abuse but somewhat less than those in Schedule I, and Schedule III and IV containing drugs with increasingly lower risks of abuse or dependence. Thus, when considering the need for legislative oversight and public health safety, Schedule I clearly holds the highest level of control.