CAN/585
WTO/TBT
CA Canada
  • 11 - Technologies de la santé
2019-06-18
2019-04-25

The substance tramadol (ICS: 11.120)

Regulations Amending the Narcotic Control Regulations (Tramadol) (29 pages, available in English and French) Order Amending Schedule I to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (Tramadol) (2 pages, available in English and French)

Tramadol is a synthetic opioid analgesic that has been marketed in Canada since 2005. It is regulated under the Food and Drugs Act, and is available by prescription only. Like other opioid analgesics, while tramadol can provide effective pain relief for some patients, it has potential for problematic use, and chronic use of tramadol can lead to tolerance and dependence.  Tramadol can also cause harmful adverse effects that pose risks to human health, which can be fatal in some cases. Unlike most opioid analgesics, tramadol is not scheduled under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act or regulated under the Narcotic Control Regulations. Controlling tramadol would strengthen Health Canada’s oversight of legitimate activities with tramadol, and facilitate detection and prevention of diversion. It would also enable Canadian law enforcement agencies to take enforcement action against a broader range of unauthorized activities with tramadol. This would help to mitigate the risk of problematic tramadol use emerging as a significant threat to the health and safety of Canadians.