China announced plans on Monday to tighten supervision of two potentially addictive pharmaceutical products — oral pregabalin and guaifenesin-containing compounds — in a bid to curb drug abuse.

According to a circular jointly issued by the National Medical Products Administration, the Ministry of Public Security and the National Narcotics Control Commission, stricter measures will be applied across the entire industrial chain of these high-risk medications, covering manufacturing, distribution and retail.

In line with the new rules, provincial-level drug regulators must strictly enforce production quotas to reduce abuse risks at the source. Online retail and any form of illicit sales of these products are strictly prohibited.

At brick-and-mortar pharmacies, the drugs must be stored in designated cabinets, handled by dedicated personnel and dispensed only with a valid prescription. Pharmacies are also required to keep detailed transaction records, including the date of purchase, the buyer's name and identification number.

Prescriptions must be retained for future inspection. For over-the-counter versions, single-transaction sales are capped at no more than five minimal packaging units.

Sales to minors are strictly prohibited. Pharmacists and employees who detect suspicious purchasing patterns are required to refuse the sale and immediately report the case to authorities.

The circular also calls for the implementation of a whole-chain information traceability system and enhanced monitoring and early warning capabilities for drug abuse.

Provincial regulators are required to place pregabalin and guaifenesin-containing products on key monitoring lists. Any signs of clustered, regional or emerging abuse risks must be promptly investigated and reported to national authorities.

Pregabalin, first approved in the United States in 2004, is widely used to treat peripheral neuropathic pain in adults, including pain associated with diabetes or shingles.

Guaifenesin compounds are commonly used to treat coughs and help clear phlegm caused by colds or the flu.

In March 2025, a research team from a hospital in Hunan province reported a case of pregabalin abuse leading to drug dependence in an international journal. The 20-year-old patient reportedly purchased the drug overseas and was later hospitalized for treatment after developing an addiction.