Chinese Officials Ban Manufacture, Sale of 4 Fentanyl Compounds

China has issued scheduling controls against synthetic opioid fentanyl-class substances, DEA officials announced. China’s National Narcotics Control Commission made the announcement this week, following several months of ongoing collaboration and meetings between the DEA and Chinese.

Chinese officials announced that it will ban the manufacture and sale of 4 variations of the synthetic drug fentanyl — carfentanil, furanyl fentanyl, valeryl fentanyl, and acryl fentanyl – beginning on March 1. The controls could impact illegal imports to the United States, as China is the US’s main supplier of fentanyl substances, according to a CNN report. The DEA has issued warnings about carfentanil, which is often found on the street disguised as heroin, noting that this and other fentanyl substances are to blame for a growing number of overdoses in the United States.

“Fentanyl-related compounds represent a significant and deadly component of the current opioid crisis. These actions will undoubtedly save American lives and I would like to thank my Chinese counterparts for their actions on this important issue,” Acting Administrator Chuck Rosenberg said in a press release. “This announcement demonstrates the continued commitment on the part of both our countries to address this threat wherever possible.

According to the DEA press release, these actions are a result of ongoing discussions between US and Chinese officials and their efforts to exchange information on emerging substances’ scientific data, trafficking trends, and sample exchanges.

Fentanyl’s deadly effects have propelled the opioid epidemic in the United States, resulting in increased overdose deaths across the country. DEA are combatting the opioid abuse epidemic by cutting back on manufacturing the drug in 2017.

Reference

China announces scheduling controls of carfentanil and other fentanyl compounds [news release]. Washington. DEA Public Affairs. Feb. 17, 2017.