FACT SHEET. A selection of internet-based information. Methedrone (bk-pmma)

Transcription

1 FACT SHEET A selection of internet-based information Methedrone (bk-pmma) Scientific Institute of Public Health Drugs and Illegal Substances Program National Focal Point on Drugs Juliette Wytsmanstreet Brussels Belgium BIRN@wiv-ispbe 1

2 Epidemiology September 2010 Brussels, Belgium Nathalie Deprez, MSc Science at the service of Public health, Food chain safety and Environment 2

3 The information in this message is exclusively meant for the EWS-network, and was sent to you, as a member of this network, in a confidential way Therefore the information in this message may not be copied, transferred or made public without the prior permission of the WIV-ISP The WIV-ISP takes responsibility for the editing of a press release, if considered as necessary in the framework of its mission Scientific Institute of Public Health, Brussels 2010 This report may not be reproduced, published or distributed without the consent of the ISP WIV 3

4 A General information Recent collected sample in Belgium (information provided by Dr J De Beer, IPH and Jochen Schrooten, VAD) What: white powder containing methedrone (bk-pmma) Were: Gent, probably bought on Use: sniffing Price: 23/gr From EMCDDA s reporting file Substance: Methedrone / bk-pmma Created October 2009 Updated July 2010 Type Psychotropic substances Group Cathinones Name Methedrone / bk-pmma Nature of substance bk-pmma (methedrone) is the cathinone derivative of paramethoxymethamphetamine (PMMA) It is a ring-substituted cathinone, where cathinone, the parent compound and a scheduled drug in the 1971 UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances, is closely related to the phenethylamine family bk-pmma produces stimulant effects and might have a similar pharmacological profile to PMMA, which was risk assessed in 2003 Systematic chemical name 4-methoxymethcathinone Other names 1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-(methylamino)propan-1-one, PMMC Alerts bk-pmma: two deaths in Sweden (Last Update: 14/10/2009) 4

5 Reports to EMCDDA Bulgaria (Reporting Form): In June 2010 the NFP reported a seizure of 25,94g powder analysed in by the National Institute of Criminology Austria (EWS Report): In its 2009 EWS final report the NFP reported 1 seizure of 487,6g powder Sweden (Reporting Form): On 12 October 2009, the Swedish NFP officially notified bk-pmma for the first time in Europe and the Swedish Forensic medicine service confirmed two deaths (by post-mortem blood samples) Sweden (EWS Report): On 7 October 2009, the NFP reported 30 seizures from customs and 7 urine samples from forensic department where bk-pmma was identified Due to these findings, on 22 September 2009 a proposal was submitted to the Swedish government to register bk-pmma as narcotics according to the narcotics law The reported effects of Swedish cases include: dry mouth, headache, seizures, tachycardia, dilated pupils, restlessness, and increased temperature The effects are reported to last between 45 minutes to 2 hours and are described as powerful euphoria The subjective effects are reported to be similar to MDMA effects Sweden (EWS Report): In its 2009 EWS progress report, the NFP reported 2 post-mortem samples in femoral blood, 5 samples in urine, and 6 seizures amounting 1099,1 gr On 8 august 2009, bk-pmma had not been verified in the two post-mortem cases (only mass spectra was conducted), due to the lack of a reference substance However, in one case no other drugs were present, and in the other case only diazepam was detected United Kingdom (EWS Report): In its 2009 EWS progress report, the NFP reported a suspected case involving bk-pmma (NMR analytical confirmation by the Forensic science service pending) Information from international partners Information from EMEA Information from other partners / institutions / countries Assessment status in the UN system Chemistry Other chemical names and variants 4-Methoxymethcathinone 5

6 Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) registry number Molecular information Molecular structure: Molecular formula: C 11 H 15 NO 2 Molecular weight: Identification and analytical profile bk-pmma (Methedrone)- Analytical profilepdf GC-MS from the Swedish forensic toxicology department Synthesis, manufacture and precursors Physical description Uses & Risks Modes and scope of the established or expected use Health risks Social risks 6

7 Other uses Publications ACMD report, Consideration of the cathinones, 31 March 2010 ACMD-cathinones-reportpdf Wood D, Dargan P (2010) Technical profile of methedrone EMCDDA Publication, 12 pp (contract code CC09EPI017) Methedrone_Tech_Prof_EMCDDA_Mar_2010pdf 7

8 B Pictures Not available C Experiences of users No information available D Legal status From EMCDDA Ireland: controlled On 11 May the Irish Government moved against head shops with a two-fold strategy using the Misuse of Drugs Act, 1977 and 1984, and a newly drafted Criminal Law (Psychoactive Substances) Bill 2010 from the Department of Justice Since 11 May, synthetic cannabinoids, benzylpiperazine derivatives and six named cathinones are banned substances under the Misuse of Drugs Act with a prison sentence of up to seven years and/or a fine for unlawful possession and, on indictment, up to a maximum period of life imprisonment for unlawful supply Under the proposed Criminal Law (Psychoactive Substances) Bill 2010, the sale or supply of substances for human consumption which may not be specifically proscribed (prohibited) under the Misuse of Drugs Act, but which have psychoactive effects, will be a crime Lithuania: controlled Methedrone and mephedrone, DOI, 3-fluoromethcathinone, JWH-200, JWH-250, JWH-398 and TFMPP were included in the 1st list of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances "Narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances prohibited for medical use" on 20 June 2010 by the order of the Minister of Health No V- 540 Romania: controlled Controlled by Governmental decision which entered in force on 15 February 2010 Sweden: controlled Classified as a narcotic drug from December 9,

9 United Kingdom: controlled The Misuse of Drugs (Designation) (Amendment) Order 2010, valid as of 16 April 2010, governs the licensed use of known illicit cathinone derivatives, classified as Class B drugs under the 1971 Act Belgian Royal Decree Not included in a Royal Decree E References 9