ALMA proclaimed to a sudden meeting
The Ministry of Health launched a quick meeting today with representatives of the Icelandic Medicines Agency, Landspitali, the Office of the Medical Director of Health, the Customs Authorities, the Police, the Laboratory of Pharmaceutical and Toxicology, Matthilla and Matthildur, on the ways to respond to the importation of illegal and life.
The occasion was the customs duty on large quantities of forged tablets that looked like OxyContin (80 mg) but contained Nitazene. Nitazene is a very strong opioid produced in illegal laboratories.
Due to the high level of substance, there is a significant risk of breathing stops in those who consume the person who can lead to death. There are many examples across Europe where the subject has come into circulation on the illegal drug market.
Prevent the material to get to the market
Alma D. Möller, Minister of Health, says life issues are doing everything possible to prevent the material from entering the drug market and at the same time being prepared if it happens to counter serious consequences.
« Regular monitoring of domestic parties and cooperation with foreign regulators are a prerequisite for rapid response if new dangerous substances come into circulation, in Iceland or abroad. Such a response group needs to be established without delay, along with other measures to prevent or minimize damage, » says the minister.
At today’s meeting, proposals for immediate actions were discussed, including with reference to Matthildur’s memorandum and position to the ministry. The main issues discussed there are:
- The establishment of a monitoring group
- Increased access to speed tests that measure Nitazene
- Increased access to naloxone (antibodies)
- Access to Ham Damaged service providers to measure content in traffic that are considered dangerous
- A joint procedure for an early warning
- Education on Nitazene’s harm to users of drugs, responders, healthcare professionals, etc.
In the Medicines Agency’s plea to the Ministry of Health last Friday, it was stated that this variant of Nitazene was not among the illegal substances specified in the accompanying document with Regulation 333/2001 on narcotics and drugs and other regulated substances.
The Ministry of Health on the same day issued a regulation with an upgrade to the accompanying document and entered into force immediately.
