Health Canada proposes control of AP-237 opioids

Summary#

Health Canada is proposing to add 2-methyl-AP-237 and related substances to Schedule I of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and to the Schedule of the Narcotic Control Regulations. This is a proposal (not yet law); comments were invited for 30 days from the notice published on August 26, 2023.

What it does#

• Proposes a class-style listing that would cover AP-237 (also called bucinnazine) and its salts, derivatives and analogues, specifically naming:
  • 2-methyl-AP-237
  • para-methyl-AP-237
  • AP-238
• Says these substances have no known legal industrial, commercial, or medical uses in Canada (the notice notes AP-237 is used as an analgesic in China, but not in Canada).
• Explains why Health Canada is proposing this: the World Health Organization Expert Committee on Drug Dependence issued a review in October 2022, and the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs voted to control 2-methyl-AP-237 in March 2023.
• If the proposal is made final, possession, trafficking, import, export and production of the listed substances would become prohibited without an authorization (such as a licence or exemption) from Health Canada.

Who's affected#

• People who possess, sell, import, export, produce or distribute these specific synthetic opioids in Canada — they would need a Health Canada authorization to do so legally if the change is made final.
• Law enforcement and border agencies working on drug seizures and analysis. The notice reports that the Canada Border Services Agency intercepted 3 packages of 2-methyl-AP-237 (from 2018 to March 2023) and Health Canada’s Drug Analysis Service detected 2-methyl-AP-237 in 31 seized samples (from 2019 to March 2023).
• Forensic laboratories, researchers and other institutions that handle controlled substances — they would need to follow licensing rules to continue working with these chemicals.
• If it remains unclear who else may be affected (for example, small-scale importers or online vendors), the public comment process is open for additional information.

Why it matters#

• These chemicals are synthetic opioids. Animal studies cited in the notice show effects similar to other opioids such as morphine and fentanyl, which raises concerns about overdose and toxicity.
• Adding them to Schedule I would give Canadian authorities clearer legal tools to stop production, importation and sale, and to regulate legitimate scientific or forensic use through licences.
• The move follows international controls, and reflects Canada’s obligation as a signatory to UN drug conventions.