Tougher Stance on Dangerous Jackson Drug Cosidered by DEA

The government thought it was mainly hospital employees it had to worry about when it came to propofol abuse.

Then authorities unearthed Michael Jackson's pharmaceutical treasure trove, which included the potent anesthetic.

The Drug Enforcement Administration is considering including propofol (brand name Diprivan) on the federal list of controlled substances, an idea that has been rolling around for at least two years, but not fast-tracked because civilian abuse of the stuff is so uncommon.

But Diprivan is becoming a household name now that it's been linked to Jackson.

Several bottles of Diprivan, which has to be administered via an IV and pretty much leaves the user in a comatose state, were confiscated from Jackson's Holmby Hills residence.

Source have confirmed to E! News that needle marks were discovered on Jackson's body during his autopsy. Authorities, including the LAPD, DEA and state attorney general's office, are currently investigating how, why, and when the King of Pop obtained the various drugs found in his residence.

The federal controlled substances list comprises five categories, which encompass everything from the hard stuff, like heroin, to the painkiller OxyContin, to codeine, which is used in some cough medicines. Hospitals are supposed to keep track of every bit (of the legal drugs, presumably) that they purchase, prescribe and dispense.

Meanwhile, the Food and Drug Administration had Diprivan maker Teva Pharmaceutical recall roughly 60,000 units of the drug following an increase in complaints about nasty side-effects.

"There have been adverse events in three states: Florida, Arizona and Missouri," FDA spokeswoman Karen Riley told E! News. "These include fevers and chills." There were no reports of fatalities, or life-threatening conditions.

The bum batches showed signs of a bacteria-produced endotoxin, she said.

We've been told that there's no connection between the recalled lots and the Diprivan found in Jackson's home, and Riley said that the FDA has no broader concerns about its safety, "if used as indicated in the proper facilities."

Denise Bradley, senior director of corporate communications for Teva Pharmaceutical confirmed to E! News that the DEA contacted the company with regard to the origins of the Diprivan found in Jackson's possession.

"The batch that the DEA contacted us about relating to their investigation is not associated with the lot numbers that are being recalled," Bradley said.

Source: eonline