Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ANKARA5867
2006-10-11 05:18:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:  

TURKEY: CMEA REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

Tags:  SNAR PREL TU 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO5147
RR RUEHDA
DE RUEHAK #5867/01 2840518
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 110518Z OCT 06
FM AMEMBASSY ANKARA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9303
INFO RUEHIT/AMCONSUL ISTANBUL 1444
RUEHDA/AMCONSUL ADANA 1212
RUEABND/DEA HQS WASHDC
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 005867 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR INL, EUR/SE, SA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SNAR PREL TU
SUBJECT: TURKEY: CMEA REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

REF: STATE 155254

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 005867

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR INL, EUR/SE, SA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SNAR PREL TU
SUBJECT: TURKEY: CMEA REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

REF: STATE 155254


1. Summary: This cable details Embassy Ankara's assessment of
Turkey's imports of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine as requested in
reftel. Embassy Ankara and our Turkish government contacts have no
information which indicates Turkey's imports of ephedrine or
pseudoephedrine are used for anything other than the licit
production of pharmaceuticals. We have also briefed MFA officials
on the the issue. End Summary.


2. (SBU) Turkey does not produce either ephedrine or pseudoephedrine
domestically. In order to import ephedrine or pseudoephedrine,
Turkish chemical and pharmaceutical companies must obtain an import
permit through the Ministry of Health (MOH). Within MOH, the
Department of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances and Drug
Precursors (DNPD) has established specific mechanisms for tracking
and monitoring these chemicals after import. Importers using the
chemicals for the manufacture of pharmaceutical products must supply
detailed information on end use, whereas importers distributing to
other entities must indicate to whom the chemicals are distributed
and how they are used. The DNPD is the liaison for Turkey to the
INCB.


3. (SBU) According to MOH officials, the importation of ephedrine or
pseudoephedrine to Turkey is strictly for licit purposes; both are
used in the production of pharmaceuticals. Turkey has a significant
pharmaceutical industry, exporting to more than seventy countries.
In 2005, Turkey's pharmaceutical exports reached 282 million
dollars. Turkish pharmaceutical products meet ninety percent of the
local consumer demand. At ninety-two dollars per capita, Turkey is
one of the countries with the lowest per capita pharmaceuticals
consumption. Medicines containing ephedrine and pseudoephedrine are
produced in tablet, syrup, and ampule forms. Consumption of cough
and cold medicines account for 8.5% of the market share, whereas
analgesics and migraine products make up 9.5%. MOH insists there is
no export of ephedrine or pseudoephedrine from Turkey, either in
pure form or in finished products such as cold medicines.


4. (SBU) MOH estimated that in 2005 945,702 boxes of tablets and
371,100 of boxes in ampule form of medicine containing ephedrine
were produced totaling 3,099 kilograms. As for consumption of these

products in 2005, MOH estimated 876,879 boxes of tablets and 221,100
boxes in ampul form totaling 2,160 kilograms. 2005 estimates for the
production of pseudoephedrine were 1,331,484 in tablet form and
2,706,236 in syrup form totaling 4,483 kilograms. As for
consumption, MOH estimated 1,496,992 in tablet form and 2,551,482 in
syrup form totaling 4,641 kilograms.


5. (SBU) According to MOH statistics, in 2005 Turkey imported 2,501
kg of ephedrine and 20,783 kg of pseudoephedrine. MOH officials
expressed skepticism about the data we provided (from the INL web
site) which differed slightly from the above. MOH stands by its
import figures which they are also reporting to the INCB. MOH
officials explained that total imports of pseudoephredine and
ephedrine are considerably higher than total production and
consumption because production and consumption data are for pure
ephedrine and pseudoephedrine medicines only - they do not include
medicines which combine ephedrine or pseudoephedrine with other
drugs.


6. (SBU) DEA-Ankara indicates there is no known diversion of
ephedrine or pseudoephedrine to the illicit market. Turkish drug
traffickers are not involved in methamphetamine production, nor is
there a consumer market for methamphetamine in Turkey or surrounding
countries.


7. (SBU) In March 2006, DEA queried the Turkish National Police
(TNP) and Turkish Customs officials regarding seizures of ephedrine
and pseudoephedrine. Turkish officials acknowledged past seizures
but emphasized they were uncommon. DEA officials indicated that
prior seizures normally involved quantities of ephedrine or
pseudoephedrine destined for Russia. DEA is unaware of any recent
reports of seizures.


8. (SBU) Both ephedrine and pseudoephedrine are listed chemicals in
the 1988 UN Convention, to which Turkey is a signatory. Turkey's
Regulation on Controlled Chemicals, effective as of June 16, 2004,
decrees that the import, export and internal distribution of all
controlled substances must be approved by MOH. A prescription is
required to purchase any medications containing ephedrine and
pseudoephedrine in Turkey. However, MOH officials acknowledge that
physicians continuing use of self-copied and serial numbered
prescription forms (red for narcotics and green for psychotropic
substances) in Turkey may occasionally lead to individuals' use of
controlled substances for illicit purposes. Officials expressed the
need for technical and financial assistance to create an electronic
prescription database system to guard against theft of prescriptions
and fraudulent prescriptions.

ANKARA 00005867 002 OF 002




9. (SBU) Although Turkey does not have a professional equivalent to
DEA's Diversion Investigator, the MOH, TNP, Jandarma, and Customs
have well-trained personnel who work effectively on chemical-related
issues. Moreover, MOH is authorized to deny or rescind permission
to import specific shipments of ephedrine or pseudoepehdrine if it
suspects they will be diverted for illicit use.


10. (SBU) Acetic anhydride, a chemical used in heroin processing, is
of primary concern for law enforcement officials in Turkey. Given
Turkey's active participation in international chemical control
programs such as Operations Purple/Topaz, DEA is confident that
Turkish officials would likely use their contacts from these
programs to immediately notify a destination country and/or the
appropriate international authorities regarding possible diversion
of a shipment of ephedrine or pseudoephedrine.


11. (SBU) We have also alerted MFA officials to the CMEA and the
link to USG assistance programs, using reftel talking points. Vakur
Erkul, the Americas Desk Head of Department undertook to ensure we
had all the information we needed.


WILSON#