To combat the abuse of new synthetic substances as narcotics the Federal Department of Home Affairs (FDHA) is expanding the list of prohibited psychoactive substances with effect from 5 November 2024. The amendment of the relevant ordinance will make these substances equivalent to narcotics: their manufacture, trade and use will be illegal and subject to penalties under the Narcotics Act.
Health risks of designer drugs: new psychoactive substances added to Narcotics List
Bern, 5 November 2024
New psychoactive substances are synthetic substances with narcotic-like effects. They are sold as intoxicants and also called designer drugs. Their consumption is a health risk: it is not known how the substances act, whether they are addictive or how harmful they are if they are taken repeatedly or together with other drugs.
List e in Annex 6 of the Narcotics Lists Ordinance is being expanded with immediate effect to include the individual substance nitromethaqualone and substance group 303 (synthetic derivatives of THC). These substances are becoming increasingly widespread in Switzerland and abroad and are mainly sold online. This move means that 297 individual substances and 16 substance groups are currently included in the list of prohibited psychoactive substances and equivalent to narcotics.
Inclusion in the list of raw materials and products with suspected narcotic-like effects should protect public health and prevent Switzerland becoming a transshipment centre for the trade in designer drugs.
The Narcotics List has been updated at the request of Swissmedic, the Swiss Agency for Therapeutic Products. Together with other national and international authorities, Swissmedic evaluates on an ongoing basis whether new synthetic substances or substance classes are being abused.
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