Concerns over Kratom Derivatives Spur Federal Attention

The increasing presence of products derived from the kratom plant has caught the attention of federal authorities and lawmakers. These products, labeled as ‘gas station opioids,’ are raising alarms due to their concentrated forms.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) announced earlier this year its intention to temporarily ban kratom-derived extracts. They plan to classify substances such as 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), mitragynine pseudoindoxyl (MGPI), MGM-15, and MGM-16 as Schedule I under the Controlled Substances Act. This move targets the synthetic concentrates and doesn’t affect the natural herbal form of kratom sold over the counter.

Kratom’s legal status is inconsistent across the United States. While nine states have imposed a complete ban, more than 30 others regulate its sale with restrictions on 7-OH concentrations. In some states, kratom is in a legal limbo, neither banned nor tightly regulated.

Since around 2010, products with concentrated extracts like 7-OH have become available at outlets such as gas stations and tobacco shops. Oliver Grundmann, a clinical professor in the Department of Medicinal Chemistry at the University of Florida, supports the scheduling of these products. He highlights that Schedule I classification indicates no accepted medical use. Determining a medical use would require approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which is not a path the manufacturers are pursuing, according to Grundmann.

Welcome to The Hill’s Healthcare newsletter. Our team, Nathaniel Weixel and Joseph Choi, provides weekly updates on the intersection of Washington and your health. Here are some essential reads:

Pennsylvania recently confirmed its sixth measles-related death. The outbreak concerns both public health officials and the Franklin County Coroner, who noted the death of a 39-year-old woman previously diagnosed with measles.

New research involving GLP-1 drugs indicates potential changes for adults with moderate-to-severe psoriasis and obesity. An Eli Lilly study revealed broader immune and metabolic changes when using a combination of Taltz and Zepbound.

A recent study of British adults compared drinking water with diet soft drinks during weight loss. Researchers found no significant difference in the outcomes, according to the University of Liverpool.

In other news, the Ebola outbreak in Congo reached 5,000 cases, spreading faster than efforts to contain it. This ongoing crisis poses challenges for responders in the region.

For more healthcare updates, here are some local and state headlines: A proposed amendment on reproductive health in Virginia might impact the state’s abortion laws. In Iowa, healthcare issues are a focal point in Senate races. Meanwhile, Missouri hospitals face workforce shortages amid increasing turnover rates.

Health-related news from other sources shows Americans have more trust in science compared to their global peers, asserts a survey by Stat. Additionally, HPV-vaccinated women experience lower pregnancy risks, as reported by MedPage Today. Another study highlights concerns over the aging demographic of U.S. doctors.