MoH Open To Reclassifying Etomidate Under Dangerous Drugs Act

PUTRAJAYA, July 30 (Bernama) -- The Health Ministry (MoH) is open to reviewing the proposal to list 'etomidate' under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 following reports of its frequent abuse, its minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said. 

He said that based on current clinical practices, the MoH is always ready to carry out evaluations or studies based on evidence presented by any party.

Etomidate is currently listed under the Poisons Act 1952.

“Any proposal can be considered, but at the end of the day, I look at the evidence base when evaluating something,” he told a press conference after officiating the 2025 National Health Technology Assessment Conference and the 30th Anniversary Celebration of the Health Technology Assessment Section (MaHTAS) here today.

Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii had before this urged the government to list etomidate under both the Poisons Act 1952 and the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, citing reports of its fatal effects in Singapore.

He said etomidate is an intravenous anaesthetic that has been misused as a recreational substance through vape products, often marketed as ‘Kpods’.

Kpods is a street term that usually refers to vape pods laced or contaminated with harmful chemicals or synthetic drugs, rather than just regular vape liquids like nicotine or flavoring.

In a related development, Dzulkefly said the government is currently reviewing a proposal to ban e-cigarettes or vapes in the country.

“I'm taking note, but I don’t want to act hastily. We are taking this very seriously, and it needs to go through a thorough evaluation and consideration of legal and public health impacts,” he said.

-- BERNAMA