PDEA: Nalbuphine now a dangerous drug

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) issued a warning to the public regarding the inclusion of nalbuphine hydrochloride in the list of dangerous drugs based on regulations issued by the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB).

PDEA director general Jose Guitierrez Jr. cited DDB Regulation Number 1, series of 2010 dated December 16, 2010, which classifies nalbuphine (HCL) as a dangerous drug effective January 28, 2011.

Nalbuphine hydrochloride is a synthetic opioid used for pain medications. Its analgesic potency and characteristics are similarly equivalent to that of morphine, demerol, pethidine or codeine.

“All importers, manufacturers, wholesalers/distributors/traders and retailers of this drug are therefore required to register and apply for license with the Compliance Service (CS), the regulatory arm of PDEA. Only practitioners with valid S-2 License can prescribe the said pharmaceutical product through DOH-prescribed “yellow prescription” for a maximum of only forty (40) milligrams per prescription. Importation, likewise, requires an Import Permit duly approved by the Agency,” PDEA said.

Guitierrez said that based on the foregoing DDB Regulations, PDEA as the lead anti-drug agency in partnership with the Philippine National Police (PNP), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Bureau of Customs (BOC) and other instrumentalities in the field of drug law enforcement will include this substance in their close monitoring and will apprehend offenders of the law. (report from Philstar.com)