Inclusion of N-Benzylpiperazine (BZP) in the List of Dangerous Drugs

November 12, 2009

DDB BOARD REGULATION NO. 05-09

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 93, Article XI of Republic Act 9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB), after due notice and public hearing, is given the power to reclassify, add to or remove from the list of dangerous drugs any drug or substance;

WHEREAS, upon representations of the PNP-Anti-illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force (AIDSOTF) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), the DDB Technical Working Group (TWG), recommended to the Board the classification of BZP as a Dangerous Drug;

WHEREAS, N-Benzylpiperazine (BZP) is a recreational drug with euphoric and stimulant properties. Its mechanism of action is believed to be similar to that of Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) "ecstasy", and the effects produced by BZP are comparable to those produced by Amphetamine. Data showed that the continued, uncontrolled production, distribution and abuse of BZP pose an imminent hazard to public safety, as this substance is used as an intermediate or adulterant in the manufacture of dangerous drugs, but has no recognized therapeutic use in humans;

WHEREAS, BZP is popularly known as "A2", Benny Bear, Benny, Frenzy and Nemesis. It is encountered either as pink, white; off-white, orange, tan or mottle orange-brown colored tablets. These tablets bear imprints such as housefly, crown, heart, butterfly, smiley face or bull's head and are often sold as "ecstasy". The substance is dubbed as "Mimic Ecstasy";

WHEREAS, as directed by the Board, the Committee on Public Hearing conducted a public hearing held on November 5, 2009, and there being no objection raised to the proposed inclusion of N-Benzylpiperazine (BZP) in the list of dangerous drugs, the said Committee had recommended to the Board that BZP be classified as such; aCcHEI

WHEREAS, in its 131st Regular Meeting held on 12 November 2009, the Board unanimously decided to include BZP in the list of dangerous drugs.

WHEREFORE, be it RESOLVED, as it is hereby RESOLVED, to include N-Benzylpiperazine (BZP) in the list of dangerous drugs, as follows:

SECTION 1. Classification as a Dangerous Drug. —

N-Benzylpiperazine (BZP), including its salts, isomers, and salts of isomers within the specific chemical designation, by whatever official, common, unusual or brand name designation, is hereby classified as a dangerous drug.

SECTION 2. Regulatory Control of N-Benzylpiperazine (BZP). —

N-Benzylpiperazine (BZP) shall be subject to all regulatory and control measures as provided under RA 9165 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR), Board Regulations and other applicable issuances of the Board.

SECTION 3. Effectivity. —

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 12th day of November, in the year of Our Lord, 2009 in Quezon City.

(SGD.) SEC. VICENTE C. SOTTO IIIChairmanDangerous Drugs Board

Attested by:

(SGD.) USEC. EDGAR C. GALVANTESecretaryDangerous Drugs Board