OBJECTIVE： To study the development and status quo of controlled drugs control in Britain， and to provide evidence for narcotics and psychotropic substances （NPS） control in China. METHODS： The development and status quo of NPS control by Britain were summarized and studied through retrieving and collecting literatures， reports and policies about NPS from domestic and foreign databases， news reports and international website. RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS： British control for controlled drugs dated back to Pharmacy Act in 1868， and Britain was the first country to control drugs by legislations. A unique British system of narcotics control was established and improved after issued Rolleston Report and two pieces of Brain Report in Britain. Finally， the British system of narcotics control was established， which combined public health prevention with judicial redress. At present， controlled drugs are classified and controlled by Advisory Committee on Drug Abuse， Serious Organised Crime Agency and National Drug Abuse Treatment Agency subordinated to Ministry of Interior， based on Misuse of Drugs Act.