SINGAPORE \u2013 The temporary listing of etomidate as a Class C drug has been extended till April 30.<\/p>\n
According to a legislative supplement published in the Government Gazette on Feb 26, the regulations relating to the anaesthetic agent etomidate and its variant, metomidate, will be extended for two months.<\/p>\n
The drugs were listed under the Misuse of Drugs Act as a Class C drug from Sept 1, 2025, amid a surge in reports of young people using etomidate-laced vapes, also known as Kpods.<\/p>\n
This allowed the authorities to introduce tougher penalties to deal with those who abuse and traffic etomidate.<\/p>\n
The temporary provisions were previously slated to expire on Feb 28. <\/p>\n
Coordinating Minister for National Security and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam had said on Feb 4 that <\/p>\n etomidate would remain a Class C drug<\/p>\n <\/a> as the Ministry of Health drafted amendments to current laws.<\/p>\n He had added that a Bill will be tabled in Parliament within the first half of 2026.<\/p>\n Etomidate, which can trigger spasms, breathing difficulties, seizures and psychosis when vaped, was previously classified under the Poisons Act as a medicinal ingredient used in clinical practice.<\/p>\n As more abusers were caught with Kpods, the authorities moved to enact temporary regulations, <\/p>\n listing etomidate as a Class C drug<\/p>\n <\/a> so that they could better deal with the problem.<\/p>\n Under current laws, those who import Kpods can be jailed for up to 20 years and given 15 strokes of the cane.<\/p>\n Sellers and distributors can be jailed for up to 10 years and given five strokes of the cane.<\/p>\n Over 3,500 people were caught for possession and use of vapes in the <\/p>\n last four months of 2025<\/p>\n <\/a>. Of these, 366 used Kpods.<\/p>\n