EXPERT ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON DRUGS (EACD)
MEETING
MINUTES
Chair: Dr Bob Boyd
Friday, 19 March 2004, 1.30 pm – 4.30 pm
201 Second Floor South – Ministry of Health Main Building, Molesworth
Street, Wel ington.
Members present
Dr Bob Boyd (Chair)
Dr Stewart Jessamine
Dr Keith Bedford
Dr Helen Moriarty
Inspector Wim Van Der Velde
Matthew Roseingrave
Keremete Warbrick
Professor Tim Maling
Apologies
Dr Doug Sellman
Dr Geoffrey Robinson
Secretariat attending:
Matthew Andrews
Colin Lee
Helen Hunter
Preliminary paper on Amphetamine
The EACD considered the preliminary paper on amphetamine. It was raised
by members that the preliminary paper was not well targeted and often
provided information that didn’t differentiate between methamphetamine and
amphetamine.
Chair:…………………………………… Date:……………………
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It was noted that amphetamine is not used as a medicine in New Zealand,
although dexamphetamine is used therapeutically to treat some conditions in
New Zealand. It was also noted that it would not be a simple process to
chemically convert amphetamine into methamphetamine.
It was noted that it can be difficult for users to differentiate between
amphetamine and methamphetamine and amphetamine has sometimes been
sold as methamphetamine. However, it was noted to have different
precursors for its production than methamphetamine.
Agreed: to recommend to the Associate Minister of Health that
amphetamine be reclassified as a Class B1 control ed drug.
Agreed that a presumption for supply be set at 5 grams or more of
amphetamine, or 100 flakes, tablets, capsules or other drug forms, each
containing some quantity of amphetamine.
Preliminary paper on Ketamine
The EACD considered the preliminary assessment on Ketamine. Ketamine is
primarily a vetinary tranquil iser.
Ketamine is being used for recreational purposes in New Zealand, and
Australia is reporting high levels of its use. Ketamine is used widely in the
New Zealand dance scene. It has also been identified in poly drug users
seeking treatment and two significant of seizures have been made under the
Medicines Act 1981.
There is some interest in substances similar to Ketamine as possible palliative
care drugs.
It was raised that it is important for the EACD to seek advice from practitioners
on possible classification as a B1 substance.
Agreed: That the secretariat consults with the following organisations
on an in-principle B1 classification:
•
The Col ege of Anaesthetists
•
The Vetinary Surgery Association
•
Parke Davis (the producers of Ketamine in New Zealand)
•
Any other producers that are identified
4.
Preliminary paper on Benzylpiperazine
The EACD considered the preliminary paper on Benzylpiperazine (BZP). BZP
is a common ingredient in a number of ‘legal high’ products that are currently
being sold through licensed premises, ‘head’ shops, petrol stations and
dairies.
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Some concerns were raised that some internet suppliers of these products are
supplying them to customers in countries where they are il egal.
The EACD discussed the risk to public health resulting from adverse reactions
between BZP and Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitors (SSRI’s). It was
noted that this was a concern and that even some of the producers of these
products had identified the risk, and that it would need some consideration.
The EACD discussed that BZP products are currently sold as dietary
supplements. It was felt by the committee that, in light of what the dietary
supplement classification had been intended for, BZP products did not fit
appropriately into the dietary supplements category. It was discussed that the
NZFSA had received expert advice that BZP was not a food. It was also
noted that in July 2005 the dietary supplements category wil be replaced and
that it would be unlikely that BZP would fit into the new categories.
The EACD discussed the health impacts that BZP may have. It was noted
that overdose on BZP was unlikely and that very few people were being noted
at Emergency Department’s as a result of BZP use. However, the EACD
noted that there was not the violence or aggressive behaviour being seen that
is common with alcohol use.
Some concern was expressed by the EACD that making BZP unavailable it
could lead to a substitution of these products for more harmful il icit drugs.
Some concerns were expressed that BZP use could lead back into drug use
for some people recovering from stimulant dependencies.
Agreed: That the EACD would recommend the following to the Minister:
After considering al of the information put to the Committee and the
classification criteria in the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975, the EACD makes
the following recommendations to the Associate Minister of Health:
(a) After considering the evidence the EACD believes that there is no
current schedule of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975 under which BZP
could reasonably be placed.
(b) The Minister of Food Safety should be requested to consider the
appropriateness of permitting the chemical, BZP to be sold as a
dietary supplement in New Zealand when it has no known
nutritional value.
(c) The EACD recommends that the Minister direct the Ministry of
Health to conduct further research into the potential harms
associated with the use of BZP.
(d) The EACD recommends that the Minister direct the Ministry of
Health to investigate the possibility of gathering prevalence data on
BZP via the introduction of routine toxicology screening via
community laboratories.
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(e) The EACD recommends that the Minister direct the Ministry of
Health to examine options for new categories of classification that
can incorporate some levels of control and regulation, such as an
18 plus age limit, without prohibiting access to these substances
completely.
(f) This paper should be made publicly available (eg, posted on the
National Drug Policy website www.ndp.govt.nz) as soon as
practicable.
5.
Consistency in scheduling
The EACD considered matters around consistency in scheduling raised in a
letter by Keith Bedford. It was discussed that similar substances should be
dealt with in an orderly and consistent manner.
Agreed: That the EACD agree with the comments in Keith Bedford’s
letter and that the letter be attached to the minutes.
6.
Letter regarding medicinal cannabis use
The EACD considered a letter relating to issues around the medicinal use of
cannabis.
Agreed: To respond to the letter explaining policies relating to medicinal
cannabis use and the requirements of the schedules.
7.
Australian National Drugs and Poisons Schedule
It was raised by a member that a number of drugs had been put into Sections
8 and 9 of this Schedule. It was agreed that this information would be
provided to the EACD.
8.
Temazepam gel-caps
It was brought to the EACD’s attention that the Therapeutic Goods Agency
had successfully persuaded producers to discontinue the marketing of gel-
caps of temazepam. Gel-caps of temazepam are misused by opiate users,
misuse that can lead to a number of adverse reactions, including, blocked
arteries and limb loss etc.
Agreed: That the EACD wil be provided more information and
preliminary assessments on benzodiazepines including temazepam.
9.
Next meeting
Agreed: That the next meeting wil be on the afternoon of 4 June 2004.
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Document Outline
