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The Government intends to tighten control on dihydroetorphine, remifentanil and norephedrine to prevent illegal uses of these substances, in line with the resolutions made by the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs in March 1999 and March 2000.

The Dangerous Drugs Ordinance (Amendment of the First Schedule) Order 2000 made by the Chief Executive proposes to include dihydroetorphine and remifentanil in Part I of the First Schedule to the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance (Cap. 134). The Control of Chemicals Ordinance (Amendment of Schedule 2) Order 2000 made by the Secretary for Security proposes to include norephedrine in Schedule 2 to the Control of Chemicals Ordinance (Cap. 145).

Both Orders will be gazetted on May 19, 2000 (Friday), and are proposed to take effect on September 1, 2000.

When the amendments take effect, the control over dihydroetorphine and remifentanil will be the same as that over other dangerous drugs, and the illicit trafficking, manufacture, supply and possession of such substances will lead to severe penalties.

As for norephedrine, after the amendment, a licence will be required for the manufacture, import and export of the substance. For each and every shipment of the chemical to be imported or exported, a licensee has to further obtain an individual import or export authorisation. The transshipment, removal and storage of norephedrine will also be subject to more stringent control.

Dihydroetorphine is a potent analgesic with morphine-like properties, and possesses a very strong psychological dependence potential. It is used for the relief of acute pain, but is also found to be abused in some countries as a heroin substitute due to its strong psychotropic properties, lower price and less stringent control compared with heroin.

Remifentanil is used as an analgesic, and possesses morphine-like properties similar to those of dihydroetorphine.

Both dihydroetorphine and remifentanil are currently not controlled under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, while remifentanil is controlled as a poison under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance.

Norephedrine, chemically same as phenylpropanolamine, is therapeutically used for nasal decongestants and cold remedies. It is also a chemical frequently used in the illicit manufacture of amphetamine. At present, it is controlled as a Part I poison under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance except when in pharmaceutical products at 0.1% or less.

End/Wednesday, May 17, 2000

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