28 Sep 2013

Ministry rejects six synthetic drugs

8:16 am on 28 September 2013

The Ministry of Health has refused interim licenses for six types of synthetic drugs, including Kronic.

The Psychoactive Substances Regulatory Authority has rejected interim approval for the importation, manufacture or sale of G-13, Kronic Skunk, Tropical Explosion, Pineapple Express and Kryptonite Red and Green.

Authority manager Donald Hannah says information from agencies including the National Poisons Centre and hospital emergency departments shows the substances can cause adverse reactions.

He says the reactions include blackouts, kidney failures and heart attacks.

Dr Hannah says the findings show the adverse reactions to Kronic and Kryptonite products were six to 11 times higher than to other products which have been approved.

Under the scoring system, a score more than two is deemed to have more than a low risk of harm.

Dr Hannah says the Kronic-branded products scored between 11 and 13, while the Kryptonite products ranged up to 22 on the scale.