The Minister of Justice and Keeper of the Seals, Abdul Rashid Tabbipresented this Tuesday a bill aimed at preventing the use of narcotics and psychotropic substances.
The Minister underlined the importance of this question, which aims to repress this illegal traffic in Algeria, where the phenomenon has spread quite a bit. Doctors also said that the text of the law provides for penalties of up to up to 20 years in prison for the operation of minors or people with disabilities.
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Regarding pharmacies, the Minister indicated that a national electronic catalog had been created. Some substances, such as pregabalin, are prescribed drugs for certain diseases that have been diverted from their intended purpose. The law also provides for a special protection for pharmacists against persons seeking to obtain psychotropic substances.
The bill also includes new provisions on international cooperation, particularly with regard to the protection of international secrets.
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President Tebboun had expressed its support for the bill aimed at preventing narcotics and psychotropic substances. He welcomed the measures contained in this bill to protect society from this scourge.
Pregabliene, the drug of the poor
Pregabalin is an anticonvulsant and anxiolytic drug used to treat neuropathic pain. Due to the relaxing effects it provides, this medicine is also used as a drug.
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Pregabalin, although not manufactured in Algeria, is introduced mainly from Libya, where it is imported from India and Niger. According Fateh Daoudihead of the Office for the Fight against Drugs and Drug Addiction (ONLCDT), this drug is dumped in Libya before being sent to Algeria, Tunisia and other countries.
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It is also produced in clandestine laboratories in countries such as Niger, Mali and Nigeria. Why is Algeria a destination for this drug? According to F. Daoudi, the main destination of pregabalin is Europe, but there is a demand in Algeria, and a large part of the drug therefore remains there.
