Inclusion of Alpha-Phenylacetoacetonitrile ("APAAN") in the List of Controlled Precursors and Essential Chemicals

September 9, 2015

DDB BOARD REGULATION NO. 01-15

 

WHEREAS, the Philippines is a signatory to the 1988 United Nations Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances ("1988 UN Convention") which seeks to promote cooperation among states in order to address more effectively the various aspects of illicit traffic in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances;

WHEREAS, alpha-phenylacetoacetonitrile ("APAAN") is an immediate precursor of 1-phenyl-2-propanone and a pre-precursor of amphetamine and methamphetamine;

WHEREAS, the International Narcotics Control Board conducted an assessment of APAAN and it was established to have no known legitimate use, except in small amounts, for purposes of research, development and laboratory analysis; there are no known industrial applications in which APAAN is used as a starting material, and there is no documented regular legitimate commerce or trade in APAAN other than in small amounts for research purposes;

WHEREAS, during the 57th Session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs in March 2014, it was agreed that APAAN and its optical isomers shall be included in Table I of the 1988 UN Convention, and such decision became fully effective on October 6, 2014, or 180 days after communication by the United Nations Secretary General of such inclusion to all UN member states;

WHEREAS, as signatory to the 1988 Convention, the Philippines shall carry out its obligations through necessary measures, including legislative and administrative measures, in conformity with the fundamental provisions of its domestic and legislative system;

WHEREAS, during the public hearing held last September 14, 2015 initiated by the DDB Committee on Public Hearings, various stakeholders supported the proposal to include alpha-phenylacetoacetonitrile (APAAN) to regulatory control.

WHEREFORE, be it RESOLVED, as it is hereby RESOLVED, to include alpha-phenylacetoacetonitrile (APAAN) in the list of controlled precursors and essential chemicals, and subject it to all regulatory and control measures provided for in the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, as amended, and rules and regulations promulgated by the Dangerous Drugs Board.

This Regulation shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation and after its registration with the Office of the National Administrative Register (ONAR), UP Law Center, Quezon City.

APPROVED and ADOPTED, this 9th day of September, in the year of Our Lord, 2015 in Quezon City.

(SGD.) SECRETARY ANTONIO A. VILLAR, JR., Ph. DChairman, Dangerous Drugs Board

Attested by:

(SGD.) JOSE MARLOWE S. PEDREGOSA

Undersecretary-Executive Director