OREANDA-NEWS. February 19, 2008. Interior Minister Yuriy Lutsenko believes that establishment of strict quotas for tramadol producer will help solve the problem of the drug's illegal circulation. The Minister said so at the extended session of the Ministry board with participation of President Viktor Yushchenko, reported the Official website www.kmu.gov.ua.

According to the data cited by Mr. Lutsenko, almost 4,700 instances of inappropriate use of tramadol were revealed in 2007. 1,500 criminal cases were filed in consequence.

"As of today the domestic producers have sold over 110 million doses of tramadol, while the real demand is 8-10 million doses," Mr. Lutsenko said. According to him, this problem can be solved by "introduction of strict quotas on production of substances subject to control and specifying the legal status of inspectors to control their production and sale".

The Minister urged the president to address this problem. According to the head of state, he will ask Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko to include the issue in the agenda of the Government session.