Etomidate and International Collaboration to Tackle Emerging Drug Threats

Question:

Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song: To ask the Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs (a) whether Singapore has tabled proposals within ASEAN or the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs to schedule etomidate analogues; (b) how does the Government coordinate with international bodies to monitor the emergence of new psychoactive substances in the region; and (c) what is Singapore's strategy in ensuring that regional scheduling keeps pace with the rapid proliferation of such analogues.

Answer:

Mr K Shanmugam, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs:

1. Etomidate is not listed in any international drug convention. Under international drug control conventions, a substance may be listed only after scientific assessment by the World Health Organisation Expert Committee on Drug Dependence finds sufficient evidence of abuse liability, health harms, and international public-health concern, and the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) has voted on it. That process has not taken place for etomidate, internationally. The Institute of Me ntal Health is currently collating and studying the evidence relating to the full negative impact and consequences arising from etomidate abuse, as well as its legitimate medical uses. At this stage, therefore, Singapore has not tabled a proposal to schedu le etomidate or its analogues under any international drug convention.

2. Singapore’s listing of etomidate under the Misuse of Drugs Act (MDA) is a temporary arrangement as explained in our reply to Mr Vikram Nair published on 26 September 2025. Singapore works with international partners to monitor emerging drug threats. Singa pore is an active member of the CND, which is the policymaking body at the United Nations (UN) for global drug control. Global trends on new psychoactive substances are discussed at the CND platform, and members decide on the scheduling of substances under the UN drug conventions.

3. Singapore also works with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime. Its Global SMART Programme plays a role in identifying emerging psychoactive substances and provides an early warning mechanism for countries to share data and information in a timely manner, to support international monitoring and responses.

4. At the regional level, Singapore engages ASEAN counterparts on drug matters regularly at the ministerial and senior officials levels. These platforms facilitate the exchange of intelligence, enforcement experiences and best practices.