Kasich signs order outlawing synthetic opioid

Gov. John Kasich signed an executive order Wednesday allowing the Ohio Board of Pharmacy to take emergency action to declare a synthetic opioid illegal (Source: “Kasich declares synthetic opioid illegal,” (Elyria) Chronicle-Telegram, May 5, 2016).

Kasich’s order calls for the pharmacy board to designate U-47700 a schedule I controlled substance, which means the powerful narcotic has no known medical use.

The substance, which is 7 times more potent than morphine, has been found by law enforcement officials in Ohio mixed with heroin and also has been found in pill form elsewhere in the county.

Kasich’s executive order said that there have been confirmed cases in both Ohio and other states of fatal overdoses involving U-47700.