Pubdate: Mon, 21 Mar 2005 Source: Manila Times (Philippines) Copyright: 2005, The Manila Times Contact: http://www.manilatimes.net/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/921 Author: Ronnie E. Calumpita Cited: Philippine Dangerous Drugs Board http://www.ddb-ph.com Cited: Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency http://www.pdea.gov.ph Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/areas/Philippines 4 DRUGS DANGEROUS, SAYS DDB OFFICIAL THE technical working group (TWG) of the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) has recommended the classification of ketamine and three other drugs and chemicals as dangerous. The DDB assistant secretary Rommel Garcia, chair of the TWG drug classification and declassification, said that ketamine, ephedrine and pseudo ephedrine were declared dangerous drugs; while thionyl chloride is considered as essential chemical. "The technical working group had just made a resolution that recommends these drugs and substances as dangerous," he told The Times in a telephone interview. The classification, however, needs the approval of the Interior and Local Government secretary and DDB chair, Angelo T. Reyes. Once approved, the sale and use of these drugs and chemicals will be regulated by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), which is mandated to enforce Republic Act 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. Ephedrine and pseudo ephedrine are considered precursors or raw materials in manufacturing methamphetamine hydrochloride, or shabu; thionyl chloride is labeled as a special chemical because it's an ingredient for making shabu. Ephedrine is a drug used in relieving fever, asthma and nasal congestion; ketamine is a common sedative used by veterinarians for pet animals to tranquilize them but is said to be slowly becoming a major drug abuse in the Philippines. "Other countries like Hong Kong, Singapore and China have declared it [ketamine] as a dangerous drug because the use of it is being abused," Garcia said. "In the Philippines, it is being abused though in little quantity." Since it is not classified as a dangerous drug and a precursor chemical, the PDEA said it can be bought openly and freely, even without prescription. Besides ketamine and the other three drugs and chemicals, the PDEA had asked the DDB to include ephedrine as a dangerous drugs, but the TWG-composed of the other government agencies like the Departments of Health, of Justice, of Education and of Social Welfare and Development and the National Bureau of Investigation, which also comprise the DDB-did not include it. Garcia said many opposed the idea during last Tuesday's final public hearing also attended by representatives of the Philippine Medical Association, the Philippine Association of Pharmacists and pharmaceutical companies, because ephedrine has many components as medication for cough and cold and other respiratory problems. But Garcia said ephedrine will still be subjected for "further studies." - ---