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AsiaOne
7 hours ago
- Health
- AsiaOne
Listing etomidate as Class C drug 'interim measure', MHA to assist HSA on Kpod crackdown: Shanmugam
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) will back the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) in its crackdown against etomidate-laced vapes, said Coordinating Minister for National Security & Minister for Home Affairs, K Shanmugam. Speaking on the sidelines of a media event on Wednesday (July 30), Shanmugam said that MHA will be classifying etomidate as a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act (MDA) as an "interim measure" while the Ministry of Health (MOH) conducts further studies to form legislation regarding etomidate and related substances. Etomidate is currently classified as a poison that is regulated under the Poisons Act. Listing it as Class C drug under the MDA allows for "tougher enforcement measures", where abusers will be subjected to mandatory supervision and rehabilitation regimes if convicted. Now the abusers are given a fine and sellers can face up to two years in jail. "Those who import, sell, distribute etomidate-laced vapes can expect much stiffer penalties than today," he said. Shanmugam said that his ministry will second officers to "assist with the supervision, treatment, and rehab of etomidate abusers" at HSA, following a request for assistance from MOH. The minister said public education regarding Kpods will have to start with parents and schools, considering the younger demographic of Kpod users. He said: "This is something we'll have to discuss with MOH, and MOH will have to decide how they want to bring it across, and how they want to do the public education for the young children." Shanmugam also defended Singapore's tough stance on drugs, which are comparatively much harsher than other countries. "We look after Singaporeans, and Singaporeans support our policies," he said, adding that such harsh penalties on drug offenders need to be in place to protect Singaporeans. As at July 25, MOH, HSA and People's Association have placed 24 bins at designated locations for members of the public to voluntarily dispose of their vapes in a new initiative called Bin the Vape. Those who surrender their devices by binning them, or voluntarily seek support for quitting, will not face any penalties for doing so. [[nid:720627]]
AsiaOne
8 hours ago
- Health
- AsiaOne
Listing etomidate as Class C drug 'interim measure', MHA to assist HSA on Kpod crackdown: Shanmugam, Singapore News
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) will back the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) in its crackdown against etomidate-laced vapes, said Coordinating Minister for National Security & Minister for Home Affairs, K Shanmugam. Speaking on the sidelines of a media event on Wednesday (July 30), Shanmugam said that MHA will be classifying etomidate as a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act (MDA) as an "interim measure" while the Ministry of Health (MOH) conducts further studies to form legislation regarding etomidate and related substances. Etomidate is currently classified as a poison that is regulated under the Poisons Act. Listing it as Class C drug under the MDA allows for "tougher enforcement measures", where abusers will be subjected to mandatory supervision and rehabilitation regimes if convicted. Now the abusers are given a fine and sellers can face up to two years in jail. "Those who import, sell, distribute etomidate-laced vapes can expect much stiffer penalties than today," he said. Shanmugam said that his ministry will second officers to "assist with the supervision, treatment, and rehab of etomidate abusers" at HSA, following a request for assistance from MOH. The minister said public education regarding Kpods will have to start with parents and schools, considering the younger demographic of Kpod users. He said: "This is something we'll have to discuss with MOH, and MOH will have to decide how they want to bring it across, and how they want to do the public education for the young children." Shanmugam also defended Singapore's tough stance on drugs, which are comparatively much harsher than other countries. "We look after Singaporeans, and Singaporeans support our policies," he said, adding that such harsh penalties on drug offenders need to be in place to protect Singaporeans. View this post on Instagram A post shared by AsiaOne (@asiaonecom) As at July 25, MOH, HSA and People's Association have placed 24 bins at designated locations for members of the public to voluntarily dispose of their vapes in a new initiative called Bin the Vape. Those who surrender their devices by binning them, or voluntarily seek support for quitting, will not face any penalties for doing so. [[nid:720627]]
Straits Times
8 hours ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Malaysia says study needed before classifying etomidate as a dangerous drug
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Etomidate is reportedly being misused as a recreational substance in vape products, often marketed as Kpods. PUTRAJAYA - A thorough study will be conducted before any decision is made to list etomidate as a dangerous drug under the law, says Malaysia's Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad. Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad said that the ministry took heed of the recent proposal to list the substance under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 but would not make a hasty decision without proper evidence. At the moment, etomidate is listed as an intravenous sedative and anaesthesia used in clinical practice. 'It is not an issue as it is already listed under the Poisons Act but not under the Dangerous Drugs Act,' he told reporters at a press conference after launching the National Health Technology Assessment Conference 2025 on July 30. Dr Dzulkefly was responding to a proposal made by Bandar Kuching MP Kelvin Yii to list etomidate as a dangerous drug, following reports of deaths caused by the drug in Singapore. Dr Yii said in Parliament on July 28 that etomidate was being misused as a recreational substance in vape products, often marketed as Kpods. He said the misuse of etomidate could result in death due to severe respiratory distress, sudden unconsciousness, injury and adrenal crisis. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore MHA to support HSA's crackdown on Kpod abusers and help in treatment of offenders: Shanmugam Business S'pore's economic resilience will face headwinds in second half of 2025 from tariffs, trade conflicts: MAS Business S'pore's Q2 total employment rises, but infocomm and professional services sectors see more job cuts Singapore Fewer than 1 in 5 people noticed suspicious items during MHA's social experiments Asia Powerful 8.8-magnitude quake in Russia's far east causes tsunami; Japan, Hawaii order evacuations Singapore Migrant workers who gave kickbacks to renew work passes were conservancy workers at AMK Town Council Asia 'Hashing things out': Japan, Vietnam, EU contest terms of US tariff deals behind the scenes Singapore Escape, discover, connect: Where new memories are made Dr Yii said Kpods, which often contain etomidate, are targeted at young people. It was reported that Singapore is working to list etomidate as a Class C drug under its Misuse of Drugs Act. Singapore's Health Minister Ong Ye Kung was recently reported to have said that random tests found that one-third out of 100 vape devices seized were found to contain etomidate. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
The Sun
10 hours ago
- Health
- The Sun
Govt mulls etomidate reclassification after vape misuse
PUTRAJAYA: The Health Ministry will conduct a detailed review before deciding whether to reclassify etomidate as a dangerous drug, following reports of its misuse in illicit vape products. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said while etomidate is currently listed under Category B of the Poisons Act as an intravenous sedative and anaesthetic used in clinical settings, any move to list it under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 must be based on solid evidence. 'It is already controlled under the Poisons Act. The question now is whether it should be listed under the Dangerous Drugs Act, and that decision must go through proper evaluation,' he told reporters after launching the National Health Technology Assessment Conference 2025 yesterday. He said the Malaysian Health Technology Assessment Section (MaHTAS) will play a key role in guiding that process. The issue was recently raised in Parliament by Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii (PH-DAP), who urged the government to act after Singapore reported cases of etomidate being used in a vape product brand known as K-pods, allegedly targeted at young users. Singapore's Health Minister Ong Ye Kung was reported to have said that one-third of 100 seized vape devices tested positive for etomidate. Singapore is moving to list the substance as a Class C drug under its Misuse of Drugs Act. Dzulkefly said the Health Ministry is also continuing its broader review of vaping laws, including the possibility of a national ban. 'We are studying this seriously, but we will proceed based on evidence and legal considerations,' he said.
The Star
10 hours ago
- Health
- The Star
Study needed before classifying etomidate as a dangerous drug, says Dzulkefly
PUTRAJAYA: A thorough study will be conducted before any decision is made to list etomidate as a dangerous drug under the law, says Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad. The Health Minister said that the ministry took heed of the recent proposal to list the substance under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 but would not make a hasty decision without proper evidence. "At the moment, etomidate is listed under Second Part of the Poisons Act under Category B as 'intravenous sedatives and anesthesia' used in clinical practice. "It is not an issue as it is already listed under the Poisons Act but not under the Dangerous Drugs Act, " he told reporters at a press conference after launching the National Health Technology Assessment Conference 2025 here on Wednesday (July 30). Dzulkefly was responding to a proposal made by Bandar Kuching MP Kelvin Yii to list etomidate as a dangerous drug following reports of deaths caused by the drug in Singapore. Yii said in the Dewan Rakyat on Monday (July 28) that etomidate was being misused as a recreational substance in vape products, often marketed as Kpods. He said the misuse of etomidate could result in death due to severe respiratory distress, sudden unconsciousness, injury and adrenal crisis. Yii said Kpods, which often contain etomidate, are marketed at young people. It was reported that Singapore is working to list etomidate as a Class C drug under its Misuse of Drugs Act. Singapore's Health Minister Ong Ye Kung was recently reported to have said that random tests found that one-third out of 100 vape devices seized were found to contain etomidate.
