This amendment adds a new drug, buprenorphine, to the schedule to the Narcotic Control Act. The schedule to the Narcotic Control Act is a list of narcotic drugs which is updated periodically as drugs are developed and reviewed. The drugs listed in the schedule to the Narcotic Control Act require more stringent safety precautions due to their abuse potential.
Narcotics produce their effects by uniting with specific opioid receptors in the brain.
Subsequent to Drug Directorate review of information, it was decided that buprenorphine warranted the more stringent regulatory control associated with drugs listed in the schedule to the Narcotic Control Act. Buprenorphine acts as a partial agonist-antagonist and causes both physical and psychological dependence resulting in withdrawal when subjects are deprived. Physical and psychological dependence was not considered an issue for naltrexone. Naltrexone will be included in Schedule 930 for addition to Schedule F to the Food and Drug Regulations. Alternatives The Subcommittee on Drug Schedule Status has reviewed the status of these new chemical entities and has recommended this action.