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THREE hundred unaccounted vials of fentanyl could pose a serious public health risk if they hit the streets, medical experts warn, as they worry it could make its way into other illicit drugs or be used in human trafficking.

According to the United States' Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use as an analgesic (pain relief) and an anaesthetic. It is approximately 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin as an analgesic.

Because of these properties, internal medicine specialist Dr Joel Teelucksingh said it is a great drug in a clinical setting, like in advanced cancer care, major surgery, or for patients with chronic pain who are tolerant to other opioids.