Controlled drug being sold to drug users

National Drug Agency (NDA)’s chairperson Lubna Zahir states the Agency has received information that a controlled drug is being sold to drug users.

Lubna, via a post on X on Friday night, said the controlled drug Buprenorphine, is being sold to drug users at a rate of MVR 2,000 per 10 tablets. She added that many drug users have provided accurate information regarding sellers.

Lubna also reminded that selling controlled drugs is a violation of the Drug Act.

We have received information that Buprenorphine a controlled drug is been sold to drug users.
10 tablets are been sold for MVR 2000.00 . Selling controlled drugs is violation of Drug Law . There are many users who gave accurate information regarding sellers @PoliceMv @CustomsMv

— Lubna (@LubnaZahir) September 19, 2025

Buprenorphine is a strong opioid drug used not only for managing moderate to severe pain but more importantly for treating opioid use disorder (OUD), such as heroine or morphine use. It functions as a partial agonist-antagonist at opioid receptors, helping to ease withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings, while lowering the risk of misuse by not producing the full euphoric effects typical of other opioids.