(a) whether several cases have been noticed in Maharashtra from where tonnes of
Ketamine, an anesthetic which is being abused extensively has gone to parts of the worlds;
(b) whether there is no proper system to monitor the movement of chemicals;
(c) if so, the details thereof; and
(d) the measures taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to curb the drug producing
units?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS & MINISTER OF STATE
IN THE MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (SHRI B.K. HANDIQUE)
(a)to (d): Ketamine Hydrochloride is a schedule H` drug under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and
Rules and is required to be sold only against the prescription of a Registered Medical
Practioner.No specific instance of Ketamine an anesthetic drug being abused has come to the
notice of this Ministry. However, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Department of Commerce,
DGFT has informed that there has been many seizures of this item whiie attempting to smuggle
it out of India. Also, International Narcotic Control Board in its report of 2006 had indicated
about the abuse potential of the drug. To regulate exports of this item, a proposal to make it
mandatory to obtain an NOC from the Narcotics Commissioner to export Ketamine is under
consideration of Ministry of Commerce & Industry. The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic
Substances Act (NDPS) (regulated by Ministry of Finance) exercises control over chemicals
having misuse potential as controlled substances and a proposal to bring Ketamine under NDPS
Act is under consideration of Ministry of Finance.