DEA proposes rule to curb fentanyl abuse
April 14, 2008
The distribution of illicitly manufactured fentanyl has caused an unprecedented outbreak of hundreds of fentanyl-related overdoses in the United States in recent months. The DEA believes that the control of ANPP (or 4-anilino-N-phenethyl-4-piperidine) as a schedule II controlled substance is necessary to prevent its diversion as an immediate chemical intermediary for the illicit production of fentanyl.
The DEA proposal was published in the April 9 Federal Register.
As the DEA discussed extensively in that Interim Final Rule, at least 972 confirmed fentanyl-related deaths, and 162 suspected fentanyl related deaths, mostly in Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania were initially reported to the DEA. The number of fentanyl-related deaths significantly decreased after October 2006 and continued at lower levels following control of the precursor NPP in 2007.
From the information and data collected, there is a strong indication that the fentanyl in these confirmed and suspected fentanyl-related deaths is the esult of illicitly manufactured fentanyl,
rather than from fentanyl diverted from legal pharmaceutical manufacturers.
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