Identification of a Newfound Sedative Drug of Abuse in Thailand: Phenazepam in Seized Material

Abstract

       Department of Medical Sciences (DMSc) provides analytical testing to support law enforcement and conducts surveillance for drug abuse in Thailand. According to our analytical database, majority of drugs of abuse are benzodiazepines. In 2013, DMSc received seized material of light-orange, flat and round tablets, imprinted with “Erimin 5”. Erimin 5 is a brand name of benzodiazepine drug generally containing nimetazepam. The analytical testing of the seized tablets found no nimetazepam but further laboratory investigations revealed that the tablets contained phenazepam. The detection of phenazepam this time could be considered as a newfound drug of abuse in Thailand. Phenazepam is a potent and long acting benzodiazepine. It can be purchased on the internet and became drug misuse in Europe and USA. Many deaths caused by phenazepam have been reported. Phenazepam has not been scheduled as a controlled substance in the United Nation Convention Psychotropic Substances, nor in several countries including Thailand. It was suspected that phenazepam was used to replace nimetazepam in Erimin 5 tablets in order to avoid law enforcement. The purpose of this research is to present stepwise analytical techniques that lead to the identification of phenazepam in seized material. DMSc informed about this newfound sedative drug of abuse to the relevant authorities for further appropriate action. Consequently, the National Psychotropic Substance Control Committee had declared phenazepam as a Category I Controlled Psychotropic Substance according to the Thailand Psychotropic Substances Act B.E. 2518.