On August 25, 2025, the Executive Yuan of Taiwan, China, announced the revision of parts of the Categories and Items of Narcotics in accordance with the provisions of the Narcotics Hazard Prevention Act. The revisions took effect on August 27, 2025.
This update primarily involves adjustments and additions to the items listed under Category 2, Category 3, and Category 4 narcotics. The specific changes are as follows:
Category 2 Narcotics
Unless otherwise specified, includes their isomers, esters, ethers, and salts.
|
Item |
Change |
|
|
226 |
Ethyl 1-(1-phenylethyl)-1H-imidazole-carboxylate［including its isomers Etomidate、imidazole-4-carboxylate］ |
Revised the original English name for Etomidate and specified inclusion of its isomers |
|
230 |
Butomidate［including its isomers n-Butyl、iso-Butyl、sec-Butyl、tert-Butyl］ |
Added |
|
231 |
Trifluoroethyl 1-(1-phenylethyl)-1H-imidazole-5-carboxylate、CF3-Etomidate(TF-Etomidate) |
Added |
|
232 |
Flutomidate［including its isomers 2-Fluoro、3-Fluoro、4-Fluoro］） |
Added |
Category 3 Narcotics
Unless otherwise specified, includes their isomers, esters, ethers, and salts.
|
Item |
Change |
|
|
355
|
Methyl2-［(1-butylindazole-3-carbonyl)amino］-3,3-dimethylbutanoate、MDMB-BINACA(MDMB-BUTINACA) |
Added |
|
356 |
N-(1-Amino-3,3-dimethyl-1-oxobutan-2-yl)-1-(pent-4-en-1-yl)-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide、ADB-4en-PINACA |
Added |
Category 4 Narcotics
Includes narcotic precursor chemicals. Unless otherwise specified, includes their isomers, esters, ethers, and salts.
|
Item |
Change |
|
|
58 |
Narcotic Precursor: tert-Butyl 4-oxopiperidine-1-carboxylate、N-Boc-4-piperidone |
Added |
According to the Narcotics Hazard Prevention Act, narcotic drugs refer to narcotics and their products, as well as psychotropic substances and their products, which possess addictive potential, potential for abuse, and societal harm. The manufacture, transportation, or sale of such substances is punishable by criminal penalties or fines under the law.
Narcotics are categorized into four levels based on their degree of addictiveness, potential for abuse, and societal harm:
- Category 1: Heroin, Morphine, Opium, Cocaine, and their analogous products.
- Category 2: Poppy, Coca, Cannabis, Amphetamine, Pethidine, Pentazocine, and their analogous products.
- Category 3: Secobarbital, Amobarbital, Nalorphine, and their analogous products.
- Category 4: Allobarbital, Alprazolam, and their analogous products.
The categories and items of narcotics are regularly reviewed every three months by a review committee convened by the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Health and Welfare of the Taiwan region of China. The committee deliberates on narcotics, psychotropic substances, their products, and substances with similar chemical structures that exhibit addictive potential, potential for abuse, and societal harm. Approved changes are announced by the Executive Yuan and submitted to the Legislative Yuan for reference. The management of narcotics and psychotropic substances for medical and scientific use is regulated under relevant laws.
