Department of Health warns of dangers of BZP

The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety has warned today that selling pills containing benzylpiperazine (BZP) is illegal and vendors may face court action.

The Department issued this warning following the successful prosecution of Mary Buckley, the owner of premises known as Rip Off, Lower North Street, Belfast at Belfast Magistrates Court on 8 January 2007.

Dr Mike Mawhinney, Head of Inspection and Investigation at the DHSSPS said: “Producers and sellers frequently claim that BZP is a 'natural' product, describing it as a 'pepper extract' or 'legal or herbal high'. However, the drug is entirely synthetic, not occurring naturally in any plants and is used as an anti-worming agent in human and veterinary products.

“Ingestion of BZP can result in agitation, vomiting, abdominal pain, seizures, abnormal heart rhythms, colic, diarrhoea, allergic reactions and fever. In rare cases, users may also suffer from serotonin syndrome, which can result in death.”

Experimental studies demonstrate that the abuse, dependence potential, pharmacology, and toxicology of BZP are similar to those of amphetamine.

Mr Martin McIlveen, Senior Investigation Officer for the Department said: “When in the form of so-called ‘legal-highs’, pills containing BZP are classified as unlicensed medicinal products and, as such, it is an offence to place them on the market. This department will continue with a robust approach to enforcing the Medicines Act to protect public safety.”

Notes to Editors:

1. Benzlypiperazine is marketed under various names depending on the country. They include BZP, Pep, Pep Love, Pep Twisted, Pep Stoned, A2, Legal E/Legal X Frenzy, Nemesis, ESP, Cosmic Kelly, Charlie, The Good Stuff, Exodus, Frenzy, Rapture, Charge, Blast and Euphoria.
2. BZP pills can come in many shapes or forms. The pills are sometimes encountered as a red, blue, pink, white, off-white, purple, orange, tan and mottled orange-brown pills. These tablets can bear imprints such as a housefly, crown, heart, butterfly, smiley face or bull’s head logo, and are often sold as 'ecstasy'. BZP has also been found in powder or liquid form packaged in small convenient size sold on the internet.
3. If an individual is convicted of offences under the Medicines Act 1968, they can be sentenced to a maximum of two years imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine.
4. Press enquiries to the DHSSPS Press Office on 028 9052 0074. Out of hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715440 and your call will be returned.