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#2026/613UK temporarily controls seven synthetic opioids under drug misuse law

🇬🇧United Kingdom··Other·Medium Impact·View source ↗

AI-generated summary for informational purposes only. Not legal advice. See the original source for the authoritative text.

🇬🇧 English

This order temporarily controls seven synthetic opioids, including cychlorphine, spirochlorphine, etodezitramide and related substances, across the UK from 11 June 2026. It also covers stereoisomers, salts, and any products containing them. Businesses, labs, healthcare bodies, and enforcement teams must treat these substances under strict drug controls. They are handled like Schedule 1 drugs under misuse of drugs regulations, with safe custody rules applying.

AI-generated summary. May contain errors. Refer to official sources for legal decisions.

Key Changes

  • Temporarily controls seven named synthetic opioids across the UK
  • Extends control to stereoisomers, salts, and products containing the listed substances
  • Applies Schedule 1-style drug handling rules and safe custody requirements

Obligations

What this law requires

critical

From 11 June 2026, treat cychlorphine, spirochlorphine, 5,6-dichloro desmethylchlorphine, etodezitramide, spirobrorphine, chlorphine, 5,6-dichlorobrorphine, their stereoisomers, salts, and products containing them as drugs subject to temporary control under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

businesses handling controlled substanceslaboratorieshealthcare bodieslaw enforcement agencies
From 11 June 2026
prohibition
high

Apply the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 to the listed substances and products as if they were Schedule 1 drugs.

businesses handling controlled substanceslaboratorieshealthcare bodies
From 11 June 2026
licensing
high

In Northern Ireland, apply the Misuse of Drugs Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002 to the listed substances and products as if they were Schedule 1 drugs.

businesses handling controlled substances in Northern Irelandlaboratories in Northern Irelandhealthcare bodies in Northern Ireland
From 11 June 2026
licensing
high

Comply with the Misuse of Drugs (Safe Custody) Regulations 1973 when storing or securing the listed substances and products.

businesses storing controlled substanceslaboratorieshealthcare bodies
From 11 June 2026
operational
high

In Northern Ireland, comply with the Misuse of Drugs (Safe Custody) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 1973 when storing or securing the listed substances and products.

businesses storing controlled substances in Northern Irelandlaboratories in Northern Irelandhealthcare bodies in Northern Ireland
From 11 June 2026
operational

Affected Parties

Pharmaceutical and chemical laboratoriesHealthcare and research institutions+2 more…

Tags

synthetic opioids,controlled drugs,temporary control…