Question & AnswerQ&A (DDB BOARD REGULATION NO. 3)
Ketamine, including its salts, isomers, and salts of isomers, regardless of its official, common, unusual, or brand name, is classified as a dangerous drug under this regulation.
Ketamine is exempted when it is prescribed by a licensed practitioner, where each vial contains no more than fifty (50) mg/ml X ten (10) ml of ketamine, and where the prescription is for a maximum dosage of 1.5 grams (not more than three vials) per day for a period not exceeding thirty (30) days.
Ketamine shall be subject to all regulatory and control measures as provided under Republic Act No. 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002) and the rules and regulations of the Dangerous Drugs Board.
Violations of this regulation are grounds for filing the appropriate criminal case against the violator, as well as possible administrative sanctions under the Act and Board's rules and regulations.
The regulation took effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in two newspapers of general circulation and after registration with the Office of the National Administrative Register (ONAR).
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) recommended the inclusion of ketamine as a dangerous drug.
The regulation was promulgated pursuant to Section 93, Article XI of Republic Act No. 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
The maximum dosage allowed per single prescription is 1.5 grams equivalent to not more than three (3) vials per day, for a period not exceeding thirty (30) days.
The regulation was signed by representatives from the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, various government departments including National Defense, Labor and Employment, Interior and Local Government, Social Welfare and Development, Health, Justice, the Director General of PDEA, and the Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government as the OIC Chairman of the Dangerous Drugs Board.
Each vial must not contain more than fifty (50) mg/ml X ten (10) ml of ketamine.