Fentanyl is considered the strongest opioid available for medical use in humans, with about 100 times the potency of morphine. It is highly valued for its analgesic and sedative effects and widely used in the management of severe pain and anaesthesia.

In the 1970s and 1980s, products containing fentanyl and its analogues appeared on the illicit drug market and became notorious for accidental overdoses. The problem seems to have resurfaced, and the clandestine manufacturing of fentanyl has risen to unprecedented levels. The required materials and equipment for manufacture are readily available online, at a low cost. This situation is aggravated by the rapid emergence of novel non-fentanyl analogues which have not been approved for medical use.

Since fall 2013, fentanyl and its analogues have contributed to more than 5000 overdose deaths.

The upcoming 60th Commission on Narcotic Drugs will consider the scheduling of two precursors of fentanyl and its analogues under the 1988 Convention, on March 16. In addition, an analogue of fentanyl, butyrfentanyl will be considered for control under the 1961 Convention at the same meeting.

Source: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime