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Swissmedic: Expansion of the list of prohibited psychoactive substances to combat designer drug abuse

5 November 2024

Swissmedic: Expansion of the list of prohibited psychoactive substances to combat designer drug abuse

The Federal Department of Home Affairs (Eidgenössisches Departement des Innern, EDI) expanded the list of prohibited psychoactive substances. As part of the revision of the Narcotics List Ordinance (Betäubungsmittelverzeichnisverordnung, BetmVV-EDI), new synthetic substances have been added to the list to combat the abuse of designer drugs. With immediate effect, the manufacture, trade, and use of these substances is illegal and subject to the penalties outlined in the Narcotics Act (NarcA).

The newly added substances include the individual substance Nitromethaqualone as well as the substance group 303 (synthetic derivatives of THC). These substances, sold as intoxicants, pose significant health risks because their effects, potential for addiction, and long-term consequences are not yet fully understood.

With this addition, the list now includes a total of 297 individual substances and 16 substance groups. The goal of this measure is to protect public health and prevent the increase of designer drug trade in Switzerland.

The inclusion was made at the request of Swissmedic, which, in collaboration with other national and international authorities, continuously monitors the misuse of new psychoactive substances.

For more information, see here.

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