Implementing decision 2018/1463 - Subjecting the new psychoactive substances N-phenyl-N-[1-(2-phenylethyl)piperidin-4-yl]cyclopropanecarboxamide (cyclopropylfentanyl) and 2-methoxy-N-phenyl-N-[1-(2-phenylethyl)piperidin-4-yl]acetamide (methoxyacetylfentanyl) to control measures - Main contents

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 245/9

In accordance with Article 6 of Decision 2005/387/JHA, risk assessment reports on the new psychoactive substances N-phenyl-N-[1-(2-phenylethyl)piperidin-4-yl]cyclopropanecarboxamide (‘cyclopropylfentanyl’) and 2-methoxy-N-phenyl-N-[1-(2-phenylethyl)piperidin-4-yl]acetamide (‘methoxyacetylfentanyl’) were drawn up by a special session of the extended Scientific Committee of the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction on 21 March 2018, and were submitted to the Commission and to the Council on 23 March 2018.

Cyclopropylfentanyl and methoxyacetylfentanyl are synthetic opioids and are structurally related to fentanyl, a controlled substance widely used in medicine as an adjunct to general anaesthesia during surgery and for pain management. Cyclopropylfentanyl is also structurally related to butyrfentanyl, another internationally controlled substance. Methoxyacetylfentanyl is also structurally related to ocfentanil (3) and acetylfentanyl, which are both internationally controlled substances.

Cyclopropylfentanyl has been available in the Union since at least June 2017. It has been detected in six Member States, which reported 140 seizures in total between June 2017 and January 2018. In general, detections are likely to be under-reported since cyclopropylfentanyl is not routinely screened for. In most cases, cyclopropylfentanyl was seized as powder, but it has also been seized, to a lesser extent, as a liquid and as tablets. The detected quantities are relatively small. However, they should be seen within the context of the high potency that is typical of the fentanils.

77 deaths have been reported by two Member States where exposure to cyclopropylfentanyl was confirmed. The deaths occurred within a short time period, i.e. between June and December 2017. In most of the cases, other drugs were also detected with cyclopropylfentanyl. In the case of at least 74 of those deaths, cyclopropylfentanyl was the cause of death or is likely to have contributed to the death. No acute intoxications with confirmed exposure to cyclopropylfentanyl were reported. It is likely that naloxone works as an antidote to poisoning caused by cyclopropylfentanyl. Both non-fatal intoxications and deaths caused by cyclopropylfentanyl are likely to be under-detected and under-reported, as cyclopropylfentanyl is not routinely screened for. Accidental exposure to cyclopropylfentanyl may pose a risk to family and friends of the user, law enforcement, emergency personnel, medical and forensic laboratory personnel, as well as to those in custodial settings and postal services.

There is no direct evidence showing the involvement of organised crime in the manufacture, distribution, trafficking and supply of cyclopropylfentanyl within the Union. However, given the fact that it has been detected in a heroin sample and in fake medicines, the involvement of organised crime cannot be excluded. The available information suggests that cyclopropylfentanyl is produced by chemical companies based...