China to include all fentanyl-related substances into control list

Chinese authorities are set to control the whole class of fentanyl-related substances starting from May 1st.

Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid analgesic that is similar to morphine but 50 to 100 times more potent.

Fentanyl-based drug Subsys. [Photo: VCG]

However, misuse and abuse of the drug has led to rising addiction and deaths in countries like the United States.

Chinese authorities had previously controlled over two dozen variants of fentanyl.

This time, to further enhance the fight against the abuse of fentanyl-related substances, China decides to add them into a supplementary list of controlled narcotics and psychotropic drugs with non-medical use.

This means all fentanyl-like substances will be put under control.

Deputy director Liu Yuejin of the China National Narcotic Control Committee says the move will effectively prevent the drug's illegal flow.

Liu Yuejin, deputy director of the China National Narcotic Control Committee, speaks at a press conference in Beijing about the country's control of fentanyl-related substances on April 1st, 2019. [Photo: china.com.cn]

"We believe that the efforts to control the whole class of fentanyl-related substances will stop criminals with impunity from producing substances by making simple modifications regarding one or several atoms or functional groups. It will also provide a solid legal basis for public security, the customs, prosecutors and law enforcement to effectively crack down on fentanyl-related crimes. It will also help prevent the spread, abuse, illegal manufacturing and smuggling of such substances," says Liu.

Legal documents will be issued concerning the law application, case-filing and prosecution in criminal cases of fentanyl-related substances.

Liu Yuejin talks about some of the measures to be introduced to improve the monitoring of such substances.

"We will speed up setting up drug forensic labs, develop universal on-site fast-testing instruments and protective gears, formulate standards of drug testing methods in public security sector, and establish a monitoring system based on suspicious samples and spectrum. All these measures will fully improve the monitoring, early warning, on-site inspections, examination, profiling and risk assessment on fentanyl-related substances and other new drugs," says Liu.

The country will also minimize the drug control impact on the legitimate uses of fentanyl-related substances.

It will also make prompt adjustments regarding the controlled substances if they have legitimate uses in medical or scientific research.

Liu Yuejin has also refuted accusations that China is the main source of fentanyl-related substances.

"China is strict on the control of fentanyl-related substances, such drugs produced by authorized pharmaceutical companies have never been leaked and it's impossible for them to flow into the U.S. The cases that Chinese authorities have combat about illegal processing and trafficking of such substances to the U.S. are all collusion between criminals in China and abroad. The drugs are in disguised or concealed in international parcels at a very limited amount. They couldn't be the main sources of such drugs in the U.S," says Liu.

He adds that the country is willing to work with the international community to control new psychotropic substances.