Is Nimetazepam legal in Singapore?

Legal status

Class C controlled drug — Misuse of Drugs Act 1973, First Schedule Part 3; also a specified drug, Fourth Schedule item 10

Consequences if caught

Unauthorised possession is an offence under section 8(a). Trafficking and possession for the purpose of trafficking are dealt with by section 5. Because nimetazepam is a Fourth Schedule specified drug, section 8(b)(ii) creates a named consumption offence — consumption alone is chargeable — and section 8A extends the specified-drug consumption rule to Singapore citizens and permanent residents outside Singapore in the circumstances the Act states. SECTION 17 TRAFFICKING PRESUMPTION: NONE FOUND. Section 17 lists quantities for opium, morphine, diamorphine, cannabis, cannabis mixture, cannabis resin, cocaine, methamphetamine, ketamine and the MDMA-group compounds. It does not name nimetazepam. NONE FOUND IS NOT ZERO: no quantity of nimetazepam triggers the section 17 presumption, and trafficking must be proved by evidence instead.

If prescribed or medical

Nothing in the Misuse of Drugs Act makes an unauthorised holding lawful because a substance has a medical history. Travellers carrying a prescribed medicine should check the Health Sciences Authority position before arrival and carry the medicine in its original packaging with the prescription. The Erimin 5 proprietary product's licit manufacture was discontinued in 2015.

Documentation

Original packaging plus the prescribing doctor's letter; check the Health Sciences Authority position on personal medication before travelling.

Drug laws and enforcement change and vary within a country. This is not legal advice. Always confirm with Singapore’s embassy or official drug authority before traveling; penalties can be severe, including imprisonment.