Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2017/05/03/2017-08943/schedules-of-controlled-substances-temporary-placement-of-4-fluoroisobutyryl-fentanyl-into-schedule
Timestamp: 2017-09-24 21:55:51
Document Index: 157397702

Matched Legal Cases: ['arts 1301', 'arts 1301', 'art 1302', 'arts 1304', '§\u20091307', 'arts 1304', 'art 1305', 'art 1312', 'art 1303', '§\u20091308']

Federal Register :: Schedules of Controlled Substances: Temporary Placement of 4-Fluoroisobutyryl Fentanyl into Schedule I
A Rule by the Drug Enforcement Administration on 05/03/2017
82 FR 20544
20544-20548 (5 pages)
2017-08943
DEA-2017-0004
SIGNED Letter-4-fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl letter to HHS
3Factor 4-fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2017-08943 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2017-08943
The Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration is issuing this temporary scheduling order to schedule the synthetic opioid, N-(4-fluorophenyl)-N-(1-phenethylpiperidin-4-yl)isobutyramide (4-fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl or para-fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl), and its isomers, esters, ethers, salts and salts of isomers, esters, and ethers, into schedule I pursuant to the temporary scheduling provisions of the Controlled Substances Act. This action is based on a finding by the Administrator that the placement of 4-fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl into schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act is necessary to avoid an imminent hazard to the public safety. As a result of this order, the regulatory controls and administrative, civil, and criminal sanctions applicable to schedule I controlled substances will be imposed on persons who handle (manufacture, distribute, reverse distribute, import, export, engage in research, conduct instructional activities or chemical analysis, or possess), or propose to handle, 4-fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl.
Where the necessary findings are made, a substance may be temporarily scheduled if it is not listed in any other schedule under section 202 of the CSA, 21 U.S.C. 812, or if there is no exemption or approval in effect for the substance under section 505 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA), 21 U.S.C. 355. 21 U.S.C. 811(h)(1). The Attorney General has delegated scheduling authority under 21 U.S.C. 811 to the Administrator of the DEA. 28 CFR 0.100.Start Printed Page 20545
Section 201(h)(4) of the CSA, 21 U.S.C. 811(h)(4), requires the Administrator to notify the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) of his intention to temporarily place a substance into schedule I of the CSA.[2] The Administrator transmitted the notice of intent to place 4-fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl into schedule I on a temporary basis to the Assistant Secretary by letter dated January 5, 2017. The Assistant Secretary responded to this notice by letter dated January 17, 2017, and advised that based on review by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), there are currently no investigational new drug applications or approved new drug applications for 4-fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl. The Assistant Secretary also stated that the HHS has no objection to the temporary placement of 4-fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl into schedule I of the CSA. The DEA has taken into consideration the Assistant Secretary's comments as required by 21 U.S.C. 811(h)(4). 4-Fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl is not currently listed in any schedule under the CSA, and no exemptions or approvals are in effect for 4-fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl under section 505 of the FDCA, 21 U.S.C. 355. The DEA has found that the control of 4-fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl in schedule I on a temporary basis is necessary to avoid an imminent hazard to the public safety, and as required by 21 U.S.C. 811(h)(1)(A), a notice of intent to issue a temporary order to schedule 4-fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl was published in the Federal Register on March 23, 2017. 82 FR 14842.
Available data and information for 4-fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl, summarized below, indicate that this synthetic opioid has a high potential for abuse, no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States, and a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision. The DEA's three-factor analysis, and the Assistant Secretary's January 17, 2017, letter, are available in their entirety under the tab “Supporting Documents” of the public docket of this action at www.regulations.gov under FDMS Docket ID: DEA-2017-0004 (Docket Number DEA-452).
The recreational abuse of fentanyl-like substances continues to be a significant concern. These substances are distributed to users, often with unpredictable outcomes. 4-Fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl has recently been encountered by law enforcement and public health officials and the adverse health effects and outcomes are demonstrated by fatal overdose cases. The documented negative effects of 4-fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl are consistent with those of other opioids.
On October 1, 2014, the DEA implemented STARLiMS (a web-based, commercial laboratory information management system) to replace the System to Retrieve Information from Drug Evidence (STRIDE) as its laboratory drug evidence data system of record. DEA laboratory data submitted after September 30, 2014, are reposited in STARLiMS. Data from STRIDE and STARLiMS were queried on December 21, 2016. STARLiMS registered 21 reports containing 4-fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl, all reported in 2016, from Florida, Maryland, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, Texas, and the District of Columbia. According to STARLiMS, the first laboratory submission of 4-fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl occurred in March 2016 in Maryland. The DEA is not aware of any laboratory identifications of 4-fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl prior to 2016.
The National Forensic Laboratory Information System (NFLIS) is a national drug forensic laboratory reporting system that systematically collects results from drug chemistry analyses conducted by other federal, state and local forensic laboratories across the country. According to NFLIS, the only report of 4-fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl from state or local forensic laboratories was recorded in August 2016 in Pennsylvania. Due to normal lag time in reporting, NFLIS data from August through November 2016 is incomplete.[3]
Evidence suggests that the pattern of abuse of fentanyl analogues, including 4-fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl, parallels that of heroin and prescription opioid analgesics. Seizures of 4-fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl have been encountered in powder form and packaged similar to that of heroin. 4-Fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl has been encountered as a single substance as well as in combination with other substances of abuse, including heroin, fentanyl, furanyl fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine. 4-Fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl has been connected to fatal overdoses, in which insufflation and intravenous routes of administration are documented.
Reports collected by the DEA demonstrate 4-fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl is being abused for its opioid properties. This abuse of 4-fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl has resulted in morbidity and mortality (see DEA 3-Factor Analysis for full discussion). The DEA has received reports for at least 62 confirmed fatalities associated with 4-fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl. Information on these deaths, occurring as early as August 2016, was collected from post-mortem toxicology and medical examiner reports by the DEA. These deaths were reported from, and occurred in, Maryland. NFLIS and STARLiMS have a total of 22 drug reports in which 4-fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl was identified in drug exhibits submitted to forensic laboratories in 2016 from law enforcement encounters in Florida, Maryland, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, and the District of Columbia. It is likely that the prevalence of 4-fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl in opioid analgesic-related emergency room admissions and deaths is underreported as standard immunoassays may not differentiate this substance from fentanyl.
The population likely to abuse 4-fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl overlaps with Start Printed Page 20546the population abusing prescription opioid analgesics and heroin. This is evidenced by the routes of drug administration and drug use history documented in 4-fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl fatal overdose cases. Because abusers of 4-fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl are likely to obtain this substance through unregulated sources, the identity, purity, and quantity are uncertain and inconsistent, thus posing significant adverse health risks to the end user. Individuals who initiate (i.e. use a drug for the first time) 4-fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl abuse are likely to be at risk of developing substance use disorder, overdose, and death similar to that of other opioid analgesics (e.g., fentanyl, morphine, etc.).
4-Fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl exhibits pharmacological profiles similar to that of fentanyl and other µ-opioid receptor agonists. The toxic effects of 4-fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl in humans are demonstrated by overdose fatalities involving this substance. Abusers of 4-fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl may not know the origin, identity, or purity of this substance, thus posing significant adverse health risks when compared to abuse of pharmaceutical preparations of opioid analgesics, such as morphine and oxycodone.
Based on information received by the DEA, the abuse of 4-fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl leads to the same qualitative public health risks as heroin, fentanyl and other opioid analgesic substances. As with any non-medically approved opioid, the health and safety risks for users are great. The public health risks attendant to the abuse of heroin and opioid analgesics are well established and have resulted in large numbers of drug treatment admissions, emergency department visits, and fatal overdoses.
4-Fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl has been associated with numerous fatalities. At least 62 confirmed overdose deaths involving 4-fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl abuse have been reported from Maryland in 2016. As the data demonstrates, the potential for fatal and non-fatal overdose exists for 4-fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl; thus, 4-fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl poses an imminent hazard to the public safety.
In accordance with 21 U.S.C. 811(h)(3), based on the data and information summarized above, the continued uncontrolled manufacture, distribution, importation, exportation, and abuse of 4-fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl pose an imminent hazard to the public safety. The DEA is not aware of any currently accepted medical uses for this substance in treatment in the United States. A substance meeting the statutory requirements for temporary scheduling, 21 U.S.C. 811(h)(1), may only be placed into schedule I. Substances in schedule I are those that have a high potential for abuse, no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States, and a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision. Available data and information for 4-fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl indicate that this substance has a high potential for abuse, no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States, and a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision. As required by section 201(h)(4) of the CSA, 21 U.S.C. 811(h)(4), the Administrator, through a letter dated January 5, 2017, notified the Assistant Secretary of the DEA's intention to temporarily place this substance into schedule I. A notice of intent was subsequently published in the Federal Register on March 23, 2017. 82 FR 14842.
In accordance with the provisions of section 201(h) of the CSA, 21 U.S.C. 811(h), the Administrator considered available data and information, herein sets forth the grounds for his determination that it is necessary to temporarily schedule 4-fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl into schedule I of the CSA, and finds that placement of this synthetic opioid into schedule I of the CSA is necessary to avoid an imminent hazard to the public safety.
Because the Administrator hereby finds it necessary to temporarily place this synthetic opioid into schedule I to avoid an imminent hazard to the public safety, this temporary order scheduling 4-fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl will be effective on the date of publication in the Federal Register, and will be in effect for a period of two years, with a possible extension of one additional year, pending completion of the regular (permanent) scheduling process. 21 U.S.C. 811(h)(1) and (2).
Upon the effective date of this temporary order, 4-fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl will become subject to the regulatory controls and administrative, civil, and criminal sanctions applicable to the manufacture, distribution, reverse distribution, importation, exportation, engagement in research, and conduct of instructional activities or chemical analysis with, and possession of schedule I controlled substances including the following:
1. Registration. Any person who handles (manufactures, distributes, reverse distributes, imports, exports, engages in research, or conducts instructional activities or chemical analysis with, or possesses), or who desires to handle, 4-fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl must be registered with the DEA to conduct such activities pursuant to 21 U.S.C. 822, 823, 957, and 958 and in accordance with 21 CFR parts 1301 and 1312, as of May 3, 2017. Any person who currently handles 4-fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl, and is not registered with the DEA, must submit an application for registration and may not continue to handle 4-fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl as of May 3, 2017, unless the DEA has approved that application for registration pursuant to 21 U.S.C. 822, 823, 957, 958, and in accordance with 21 CFR parts 1301 and 1312. Retail sales of schedule I controlled substances to the general public are not allowed under the CSA. Possession of any quantity of this substance in a manner not authorized by the CSA on or after May 3, 2017 is unlawful and those in possession of any quantity of this substance may be subject to prosecution pursuant to the CSA.
2. Disposal of stocks. Any person who does not desire or is not able to obtain a schedule I registration to handle 4-fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl, must surrender all quantities of currently held 4-fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl.
3. Security. 4-Fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl is subject to schedule I security requirements and must be handled and stored pursuant to 21 U.S.C. 821, 823, 871(b), and in accordance with 21 CFR 1301.71-1301.93, as of May 3, 2017.Start Printed Page 20547
4. Labeling and packaging. All labels, labeling, and packaging for commercial containers of 4-fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl must be in compliance with 21 U.S.C. 825, 958(e), and be in accordance with 21 CFR part 1302. Current DEA registrants shall have 30 calendar days from May 3, 2017, to comply with all labeling and packaging requirements.
5. Inventory. Every DEA registrant who possesses any quantity of 4-fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl on the effective date of this order must take an inventory of all stocks of this substance on hand, pursuant to 21 U.S.C. 827 and 958, and in accordance with 21 CFR 1304.03, 1304.04, and 1304.11. Current DEA registrants shall have 30 calendar days from the effective date of this order to be in compliance with all inventory requirements. After the initial inventory, every DEA registrant must take an inventory of all controlled substances (including 4-fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl) on hand on a biennial basis, pursuant to 21 U.S.C. 827 and 958, and in accordance with 21 CFR 1304.03, 1304.04, and 1304.11.
6. Records. All DEA registrants must maintain records with respect to 4-fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl pursuant to 21 U.S.C. 827 and 958, and in accordance with 21 CFR parts 1304, and 1312, 1317 and § 1307.11. Current DEA registrants shall have 30 calendar days from the effective date of this order to be in compliance with all recordkeeping requirements.
7. Reports. All DEA registrants who manufacture or distribute 4-fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl must submit reports pursuant to 21 U.S.C. 827 and in accordance with 21 CFR parts 1304, and 1312 as of May 3, 2017.
8. Order Forms. All DEA registrants who distribute 4-fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl must comply with order form requirements pursuant to 21 U.S.C. 828 and in accordance with 21 CFR part 1305 as of May 3, 2017.
9. Importation and Exportation. All importation and exportation of 4-fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl must be in compliance with 21 U.S.C. 952, 953, 957, 958, and in accordance with 21 CFR part 1312 as of May 3, 2017.
10. Quota. Only DEA registered manufacturers may manufacture 4-fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl in accordance with a quota assigned pursuant to 21 U.S.C. 826 and in accordance with 21 CFR part 1303 as of May 3, 2017.
11. Liability. Any activity involving 4-fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl not authorized by, or in violation of the CSA, occurring as of May 3, 2017, is unlawful, and may subject the person to administrative, civil, and/or criminal sanctions.
As noted above, this action is an order, not a rule. Accordingly, the Congressional Review Act (CRA) is inapplicable, as it applies only to rules. However, if this were a rule, pursuant to the Congressional Review Act, “any rule for which an agency for good cause finds that notice and public procedure thereon are impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest, shall take effect at such time as the federal agency promulgating the rule determines.” 5 U.S.C. 808(2). It is in the public interest to schedule this substance immediately to avoid an imminent hazard to the public safety. This temporary scheduling action is taken pursuant to 21 U.S.C. 811(h), which is specifically designed to enable the DEA to act in an expeditious manner to avoid an imminent hazard to the public safety. 21 U.S.C. 811(h) exempts the temporary scheduling order from standard notice and comment rulemaking procedures to ensure that the process moves swiftly. For the same reasons that underlie 21 U.S.C. 811(h), that is, the DEA's need to move quickly to place this substance into schedule I because it poses an imminent hazard to the public safety, it would be contrary to the public interest to delay implementation of the temporary scheduling order. Therefore, this order shall take effect immediately upon its publication. The DEA has submitted a copy of this temporary order to both Houses of Congress and to the Comptroller General, although such filing is not required under the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (Congressional Review Act), 5 U.S.C. 801-808 because, as noted above, this action is an order, not a rule.
2. Amend § 1308.11 by adding paragraph (h)(16) to read as follows:
(h) * * *Start Printed Page 20548
(16) N-(4-fluorophenyl)-N-(1-phenethylpiperidin-4-yl)isobutyramide, its isomers, esters, ethers, salts and salts of isomers, esters and ethers (Other names: 4-fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl, para-fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl) (9824)
3. Information was obtained from NFLIS on December 21, 2016.
[FR Doc. 2017-08943 Filed 5-2-17; 8:45 am]