Authorities Working to List Etomidate as Illegal Drug: Ong Ye Kung

Substance Found in 1 in 3 Vapes Seized Here; Several Deaths Linked to Its Abuse

- David Sun

The authorities are working to list etomidate, which is being abused via e-vaporisers, under the Misuse of Drugs Act (MDA), Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said on July 20.

This paves the way for abusers and traffickers of Kpods – vapes containing etomidate – to be treated in the same way as those who abuse or traffic drugs like nimetazepam, also known as Erimin-5, with mandatory rehabilitation and jail time for repeat offenders.

Currently, etomidate is listed under the Poisons Act. Under this law, abusers face only a fine. Sellers face possible jail time of up to two years.

But with the growing trend of vapes containing the drug, Mr Ong said it was now necessary to take stronger action.

This will be done in the coming weeks, and is an interim measure till further changes can be made to the law to tackle the vaping scourge here, he added.

The Ministry of Health is working with the Ministry of Home Affairs to do this.

The move comes after one in three vapes recently seized here was found to contain etomidate.