China adds 3 new substances to national psychotropic drug catalog

China announced on Tuesday that it will add three substances — methoxyethyl etomidate, lorotomidate, and solriamfetol — to the country's catalog of medicinal psychotropic substances.

The substances will be listed as Category II psychotropic drugs under the newly adjusted catalog, which will take effect on Oct 1, according to a notice jointly released by the National Medical Products Administration, the Ministry of Public Security, and the National Health Commission.

Under Chinese regulations, the cultivation of drug-producing plants for substances on the catalog, as well as the research, production, trade, use, storage, and transportation of these substances, is subject to strict oversight.