Chapter I: General Principles

Article 1

Controlled drugs shall be regulated by this Act in addition to other related laws.

Article 2

For purposes of this Act, the term "competent health authority" shall mean the Department of Health of the Executive Yuan at the central government level, the municipal governments at the municipality, and the county/city governments at the county/city level.

Article 3

The term “controlled drugs” as used in this Act refers to the following types of drugs:
1. addictive narcotic drugs
2. psychotropic drugs
3. other drugs requiring regulation
The controlled drugs mentioned above, shall be classified into four schedules by their potential for habitual use, dependence, abuse, and danger to the society. Said controlled drugs may only be used for medical and scientific purposes. The schedules and items of the controlled drugs shall be reviewed and announced to the public by the Executive Yuan after consideration by the Controlled Drugs Review Committee established by the central competent health authority and published in the Government Gazette.

Article 4

The pharmaceutical plant of the Food and Drug Administration shall handle the import, export, manufacture and selling of the Schedule 1 and 2 controlled drugs.
The pharmaceutical plant referred to in the preceding Paragraph may be established as a company. The establishment of the said company shall be stipulated by law separately.

Chapter II: Administering and Dispensing of Controlled Drugs

Article 5

Controlled drugs may not be administered by other than physicians, dentists, veterinarians, assistant veterinarians, or approved medical or educational researchers.
Assistant veterinarians’ use of controlled drugs is limited by Article 16 Paragraph 2 of the Veterinarian Law.

Article 6

Physicians, dentists, veterinarians, or assistant veterinarians may not use controlled drug for illegitimate medical purposes.
Medical or educational researchers may not use controlled drugs on research projects without the central competent health authority’s approval.

Article 7

Physicians, dentists, veterinarians, or assistant veterinarians may not administer Schedule 1, 2 or 3 controlled drugs or write special prescription form for controlled drugs without the controlled drugs prescription license for the use of controlled drugs issued by the Food and Drug Administration.
Any changes in the registered items of the controlled drugs prescription license mentioned in the preceding Paragraph shall be reported to the Food and Drug Administration for the record of the changes within 15 days after the day of the changes made.
If the controlled drugs prescription license was lost or damaged, a new one could be obtained by submitting an application to the Food and Drug Administration.
Regulations governing the issuance, alteration of registration, re-issuance, replacement, and management of the controlled drugs prescription license shall be prescribed by the central competent health authority.

Article 8

Physicians and dentists administering Schedule 1, 2 or 3 controlled drugs shall utilize approved special prescription form.
Veterinarians and assistant veterinarians administering controlled drugs shall record in the medical records: the names and addresses of the parties responsible for the animal(s), the species and weight of the animal(s), the treatment dates, symptoms, diagnosis, and the treatment plan. In addition the names, dosage(s) and usage of the prescribed controlled drugs shall be recorded.
The specific scope of controlled drugs used in Paragraph 1 and the format and contents of the special prescription form shall be set forth and announced to the public by the central competent health authority and published in the Government Gazette.

Article 9

Only physicians, dentists, pharmacists or assistant pharmacists may dispense controlled drugs.
Assistant pharmacists may dispense controlled drugs, but not including said drugs containing narcotic drugs.
Physicians and dentists shall dispense controlled drugs according to the regulations set by Article 102 of the Act of Pharmaceutical Affairs.

Article 10

Physicians, dentists, pharmacists, and assistant pharmacists may not dispense Schedule 1, 2 and 3 controlled drugs without utilizing the special prescription form for controlled drugs signed by a physician or dentist.
The controlled drugs administered per the above Paragraph shall only be received to persons upon a showing of that person’s identity card and upon the person’s signature.
The special prescription for Schedule 1 and 2 controlled drugs shall not be refilled.

Article 11

When supplying drugs, containing ingredients of controlled drugs, designate only by physicians, pharmacists and assistant pharmacists, the supplier shall maintain a detailed record of the names, addresses of the receivers, the amount received, and the date of receipt. Transfers recorded in medical records by medical institutions are exempt from this requirement.

Article 12

Without the approval of the central competent health authority, medical institutions may not use Schedule 1 and 2 controlled drugs for the treatment of addiction to controlled drugs (hereinafter “drug addiction”).

Article 13

The Food and Drug Administration may use the drugs confiscated by judiciary agencies for the purposes of medical and scientific research.

Chapter III: Import, Export, Manufacture and Selling

Article 14

The position of “Controlled drugs managers” shall be established to manage the inventory of controlled drugs in each of the following types of institutions: medical institutions, drug stores, medical and educational research laboratories, veterinarian medical institutions, pasturage veterinarian institutions, human medicine manufactures, veterinary medicine manufactures, human medicine sales, veterinary medicine sales.
In addition to the physicians, dentists, or pharmacists appointed by medical institutions and pharmacies, the qualifications of other controlled drugs managers shall be prescribed by the central competent health authority.
When buying controlled drugs, which do not include narcotic drugs, medical institutions and drug stories may appoint assistant pharmacists as controlled drugs managers.

Article 15

A person with any of the following conditions may not hold the position of controlled drugs managers; if in the course of their employment they become subject to such conditions they shall be removed as a controlled drugs manager.
1. Convicted under the controlled drugs related laws and released from the confinement imposed for that conviction less than three years prior to their appointment as a controlled drugs manager.
2. Persons who are subjects to the commencement of guardianship or assistantship and have not yet revoked those orders or addiction to drugs.

Article 16

The import, export, manufacture, selling or purchasing of controlled drugs shall follow the following procedures and guidelines:
1. The pharmaceutical plant listed in Article 4 Paragraph 1 may handle the export, import, manufacture and sales of Schedule 1 and 2 controlled drugs.
2. Human medicine manufactures or veterinary medicine manufactures may handle the buying and export of the raw materials of controlled drugs, and the export, manufacture or sales of Schedule 3 and 4 controlled drugs.
3. Human medicine companies or veterinary medicine companies may handle the import, export or transfer of Schedule 3 and 4 controlled drugs.
4. Medical institutions, drug stores, veterinarian institutions, pasturage veterinarian institutions and research laboratories may purchase controlled drugs.
The institutions and companies mentioned in the preceding Paragraph shall apply to the Food and Drug Administration for registration and obtain controlled drugs registration license.
Upon a change of circumstances regarding the registration mentioned in the preceding Paragraph, the registrants shall notify the Food and Drug Administration regarding the changes within 15 days.
Controlled drugs registration licenses shall not be lent to other people nor shall the ownership be transferred.
Regulations governing the issuance, alteration of registration, re-issuance, replacement, revocation, annulment and management of the controlled drugs registration license shall be prescribed by the central competent health authority.

Article 17

The Food and Drug Administration shall make an estimate of the amount of Schedule 1 and 2 controlled drugs that will be needed each year. That estimate shall be submitted to the Executive Yuan for ratification through the central competent health authority.

Article 18

The Food and Drug Administration shall report the monthly increase and decrease of stocks, and the current inventory amount of Schedule 1 and 2 controlled drugs to the central competent health authority, which shall make an annual public announcement and publish it in the Government Gazette.

Article 19

Pharmaceutical plant listed in Article 4 Paragraph 1 shall apply to the Food and Drug Administration for a permit to import or export of Schedule 1 and 2 controlled drugs.
The import and export ports of entry and exit as used in the preceding Paragraph shall be approved by the central competent health authority.

Article 20

Besides obtaining the drug permit license as prescribed in Article 39 of the Act of Pharmaceutical Affairs, the import, export and manufacturing of Schedule 3 and 4 controlled drugs shall apply to the Food and Drug Administration for a permit on a batch by batch basis. However, if the actions are permitted by the central competent health authority because of special demand, they shall be exempted.

Article 21

When selling controlled drugs, the names of purchasers and their institutions, organizations, the person in charge, the registration numbers, purchased amount, and dates shall be recorded in detailed records and shall be kept together with the receipt containing the purchasers’ signature.

Article 22

The Food and Drug Administration may allocate and limit the amount of Schedule 1 and 2 controlled drugs sold, and the regulations governing such sales shall be prescribed by the central competent health authority.

Article 23

A permit shall be applied for and issued from the Food and Drug Administration prior to domestically transporting Schedule 1 and 2 controlled drugs. However, a transporter handling the destruction of the above mentioned drugs with the local competent health authority’s certificate shall be exempted.

Article 24

Controlled Drugs shall be under the safekeeping of the business department. Schedule 1, 2 and 3 controlled drugs shall be kept and locked in special storage cabinets.

Article 25

The labels of controlled drugs shall bear the schedule, written warnings in Chinese and alert signs or colors. Said labeling in the case of narcotic drugs shall bear the sign of narcotic drugs in Chinese.
The signs of the schedule of the controlled drugs and narcotic drugs mentioned in the preceding Paragraph shall be prescribed by the central competent health authority.

Chapter IV: Control

Article 26

A person who has obtained a controlled drugs registration license shall apply for the local competent health authority’s approval to destroy controlled drugs. Such destruction shall be in the presence of that the local competent health authority.
The residue of the controlled drugs from the dispensing and administering of a registrant shall be destroyed by its manager and related people, and records kept for future reference.

Article 27

Upon the loss of controlled drugs, the responsible manager shall immediately report the loss to the local competent health authority for inspection, and submit relevant documents from the local competent health authority to the Food and Drug Administration within 7 days. When all or part of the lost controlled drugs is seized, the same procedures shall be followed.
If the loss of controlled drugs referred to in the preceding Paragraph, includes loss due to mislaying, theft and other criminal cases, the reporting party shall enclose the documents of the report of the loss to the local police agencies.

Article 28

A person who has obtained a controlled drugs registration license shall maintain records at their business department. Said records shall include the daily increase and decrease of stocks, destruction, loss and inventory of controlled drugs.
The records mentioned in the proceeding Paragraph shall follow the regulations of the central competent health authority concerning both methods and timeliness. Periodical reports shall be made to the local competent health authority and the Food and Drug Administration.

Article 29

A person who has obtained a controlled drugs registration license shall follow the following procedures in the event of having their practice license, drug company permission license, registration license or other authorizing documents revoked, cancelled or suspended:
1. Report the increase and decrease of stocks, destruction loss and inventory to the local competent health authority and the Food and Drug Administration within 15 days of the start of the revocation, cancellation or suspension.
2. Books, receipts and special prescription forms for controlled drugs shall be kept by the original persons in charge.
3. The inventory of controlled drugs of a person whose license is revoked, canceled, shall be transferred to other registrants within 60 days of the reporting date prescribed in Subparagraph 1. A report shall then be made to the local competent health authority and the Food and Drug Administration for their inspection. In the alternative, a report shall be made to the local competent health authority, and after the controlled drugs are destroyed with the presence of the local competent health authority, a report shall be made to the Food and Drug Administration for inspection.
4. Registrants who are suspended shall handle the inventory in accordance with the preceding Paragraph or retained by themselves.

Article 30

Upon an application to permanent or temporary suspend their business related to controlled drugs, a registrant shall follow these procedures:
1. Report the increase and decrease of stocks, destruction, loss and inventory to the local competent health authority and the Food and Drug Administration.
2. A registrant applying to permanently suspend business shall transfer the inventory of controlled drugs to other registrants, and report to the local competent health authority for that agency’s inspection, or in the alternative destroy the inventory of controlled drugs and file a report of such action with the local competent health authority for their inspection prior to the suspension of the business.
3. A registrant applying for temporary suspension shall handle the inventory according to the preceding Subparagraph or retain the stock of controlled drugs in their safekeeping.
Upon permission for permanent or temporary suspension of business or upon the acceptance of the application referred to in Subparagraph 1 of the preceding Paragraph, the local competent health authority shall submit to the Food and Drug Administration a report and notification as soon as possible.

Article 31

Schedule 1 and 2 controlled drugs shall not be lent and transferred. However, transfer as prescribed by the preceding two Articles shall be permitted.

Article 32

The books, receipts and special prescription forms for controlled drugs required by this Act shall be retained for 5 years.

Article 33

The competent health authorities and the Food and Drug Administration may inspect and oversee the import, export, manufacture, selling, purchasing, administering, dispensing, and management of controlled drugs. Upon a showing of proper documentation the inspectors may sampling for testing. Said samples shall be limited to the amount of controlled drug needed for examination.

Article 34

All government bodies and related agencies shall set aside a budget for publicizing the danger of abusing controlled drugs and information concerning relevant laws. Government agencies may request the assistance from public welfare groups in these endeavors.
The competent health authorities of all levels or medical institutions, mental rehabilitation institutions, or relevant welfare groups appointed by the central competent health authority may establish consulting groups aimed at the prevention and cure of drug addiction.

Article 34-1

The central competent health authority, to monitor and regulate drug misuse and to conduct early warning public education, should set up monitoring and early warning reporting systems, and reward medical and other related organizations, groups and personnel that report drug misuse cases; regulations about the subjects to report to, reporting content and procedures and related rewarding measures are set up by the central competent health authority.

Article 35

The competent health authorities of all levels, and medical institutions and mental rehabilitation institutions appointed by the central competent health authority may as needed assign special personnel in consulting services for drug addiction prevention and cure.

Article 36

The central competent health authority may, upon consideration of the situation, suspend physicians, dentists, pharmacists, assistant pharmacists, veterinarians, assistant veterinarians, who violate this Act. Said suspensions may involve both fine and suspension of the authority to write prescriptions, administering or dispensing controlled drugs. Said punishments may extend from 6 months to 2 years starting from the date of penalty assessment. A person who is prosecuted for violating the Statue for Narcotics Hazard Control shall be suspended from writing prescription, administering or dispensing controlled drugs from the start of prosecution. If acquitted, the person may apply for restoration of rights.

Chapter V: Penal Provisions

Article 37

A person, who violates Article 5, Article 9, or the import, export, manufacture and sales of Schedule 1 and 2 controlled drugs by pharmaceutical plant that are not authorized in Article 4 Paragraph 1, may be fined 150,000 to 750,000 NT dollars in addition to other punishments allowed under the Statue for Narcotics Hazard Control.

Article 38

A person who violates Article 20 or Article 26 Paragraph 1 shall be fined 150,000 to 750,000 NT dollars.
The controlled drugs manager of an organization that violates Article 26 Paragraph 1 shall also fined as prescribed in the preceding Paragraph.

Article 39

A person importing, exporting, manufacturing, selling, purchasing Schedule 3 and 4 controlled drugs who fails to obtain a registration license in accordance with Article 16 Paragraph 2, or violates Article 6, Article 7 Paragraph 1, Article 8 Paragraph 1 and 2, Article 10 Paragraph 1 and 3 , Article 12, Article 21, Article 24, Article 27, Article 28 Paragraph 1, Article 29, Article 31 or Article 32, or the inspected who violates Article 33 or the penalty ordered by the central competent health authority in accordance with Article 36 shall be fined 60,000 to 300,000 NT dollars, and any party who violates Article 33 may be subject to further inspection.
The controlled drugs manager of an organization that violates Article 21, Article 24, Article 28 Paragraph 1, Article 31 or Article 32 shall be fined as prescribed in the preceding Paragraph.
To violate Article 6, Article 8 Paragraph 1 and 2, Article 10 Paragraph 1 and 3, Article 27, or the penalty executed by the central competent health authority in accordance with Article 36，the institutions or persons in charge of an institution shall also be fined as prescribed in Paragraph 1.
Upon violating Article 12, the party shall also be fined as prescribed in Paragraph 1.
In addition to the punishment under Paragraph 1, a person who gravely violates Article 6, Article 7 Paragraph 1 or Article 12 may be subject to cancelled of their registration license, physician certificate, dentist certificate, veterinarian certificate or assistant veterinarian certificate or prescription license for the use of controlled drugs. Said actions may be carried out by the original certificate or license issuing agencies.

Article 40

Failing to appoint a controlled drugs manager in accordance with Article 14 Paragraph 1, or failing to change the registration information in accordance with Article 7 Paragraph 2 and Article 16 Paragraph 3, or violating Article 10 Paragraph 2, Article 11, Article 16 Paragraph 4, Article 23, Article 25, Article 26 Paragraph 2 or Article 28 Paragraph 2 shall be fined 30,000 to 150,000 NT dollars.
The controlled drugs manager of an organization that violates Article 28 Paragraph 2 shall be fined as prescribed in the preceding Paragraph.
The institutions or persons in charge who violates Article 10 Paragraph 2 or Article 26 Paragraph 2 shall also be fined as prescribed in Paragraph 1.

Article 41

(Deleted)

Article 42

The fines prescribed in this Act shall be deposited directly to the competent health authorities of the special municipalities or of counties (cities). However, a person who violates Article 7, Article 16 Paragraph 2 to 4, Article 20 or Article 23, or the implementation of the central competent health authority upon Article 36 shall be punished by the central competent health authority.
The Customs department shall notify the competent health authorities of cases involving the violation of regulations on import and export of controlled drugs in addition to handle these cases in accordance with the Act for the Customs Anti-smuggling.

Article 42-1

Fees may be charged for applying for prescription license for the use of controlled drugs and controlled drugs registration license issued by the Food and Drug Administration in accordance with Article 7 and Article 16 Paragraph 2, and the fee shall be prescribed by the central competent health authority.

Chapter VI: Supplementary Provisions

Article 43

The Enforcement Rules of this Act shall be prescribed by the central competent health authority.

Article 44

This Act shall come into force from the date of its promulgation.