HSA Evaluating Rapid Urine Test Kits to Enable Faster Detection of Etomidate, Found in Kpods

Rapid urine test kits could soon be used by the authorities to detect etomidate, an illicit substance increasingly found in vapes here.

- Christine Tan

This marks another step in a recent clampdown against such vapes, known as Kpods, which have grown in appeal partly because some sellers claim the drug cannot be detected in urine.

A Health Sciences Authority (HSA) spokeswoman said on Aug 7 that such claims are false.

She added HSA was evaluating rapid urine test kits that could enable faster detection of etomidate use.

Ways to test for etomidate in hair and using saliva are also in the works.

Currently, vape pods, including those suspected to contain illicit substances such as etomidate, are tested at HSA's laboratories.

They also conduct confirmation tests for etomidate in both blood and urine samples from patients admitted to hospitals.

The spokeswoman added: "Our laboratory findings confirm that even trace amounts can be detected in the urine of those who are vaping etomidate."

Minister for Health Ong Ye Kung said on July 20 the authorities were working to list etomidate as an illegal drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

This came after a third of more than 100 vapes seized during enforcement operations and tested at random contained the substance.