A. What are Part 1 poisons?

A. What are Part 1 poisons?

Schedule 10 to the Pharmacy and Poisons Regulations (Cap. 138A) contains the Poisons List which sets out a list of poisons subject to regulation for their sale and possession.  Poisons set out in the Poison List can only be sold on premises registered as authorised seller of poisons under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap.138).  Further, poisons listed under Part 1 of the Poisons List can only be sold by a registered pharmacist or in his presence and under his supervision. 

The actual content of the Poisons List is prescribed by subsidiary legislation made by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board, after considering the advice of the Poisons Committee. Many prescription medicines are included in the poisons list.  Some of the more commonly encountered prescription medicine which are Part 1 poison are sildenafil (e.g. trade name Viagra), tadalafil (e.g. trade name Cialis), levofloxacin (an antibiotic) and morphine.  Nicotine (except in circumstances related to Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT)) is also a Part 1 poison. 

As most e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products containing nicotine do not meet the NRT exemption criteria, they are also Part 1 poisons. 

Furthermore, recently, pursuant to the Pharmacy and Poisons (Amendment) Regulation 2024, medicines containing less than 0.2% codeine (e.g., cough syrup) have been added to the list since 26 January 2024.