Author/Authors :
Negrei, Carolina Departament of Toxicology - Faculty of Pharmacy - “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy - Bucharest - Romania , Galateanu, Bianca Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology - University of Bucharest - 91-95 Spl - Independenței - 050095 Bucharest - Romania - , Stan, Miriana Departament of Toxicology - Faculty of Pharmacy - “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy - Bucharest - Romania , Balalau, Cristian Department of Surgery - “Sf. Pantelimon” Emergency Clinical Hospital - Bucharest - Romania , Lucian Bogdan Dumitru, Mircea Bucharest Bar Association - Romanian Lawyers union - Bucharest - Romania , Ozcagli, Eren Department of Pharmaceutical Toxicology - Faculty of Pharmacy - Istanbul University - Beyazit - 34116 Istanbul - Turkey , Fenga, Concettina Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging - Occupational Medicine Section - University of Messina - 98125 Messina - Italy , Kovatsi, Leda Laboratory of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology - School of Medicine - Aristotle University of Thessaloniki - Thessaloniki - Greece , Fragou, Domniki Laboratory of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology - School of Medicine - Aristotle University of Thessaloniki - Thessaloniki - Greece , Tsatsakis, Aristidis University of Crete - Medical School - Department of Toxicology and Forensic Sciences - Heraklion - Greece
Abstract :
The discovery of a “new” psychoactive substance is a relatively exceptional event, while the regulatory response usually involved the assessment of risks to public health and inclusion of the novel substance in the
national list of controlled substances. However, in recent years we have witnessed the rapid emergence of new
chemical substances, which elude international control and pose a challenge to existing processes and a threat to
the credibility of control systems. We currently review and present characteristics of these legal and illegal new
substances and issues regarding their global monitoring and regulatory measures already taken, or in the process of
being taken, for their control. The concept of prohibition applied in active substance-related legislation is rather
hazard ridden as balance is required between the ban on substances of potential therapeutic use and the access on the market of high-risk substances.
Keywords :
“New” psychoactive substances , Regulatory , Control systems , Legislation
