I’m pretty sure that most opiates in the western world are entirely synthetic. Maybe not pure morphine, but hydrocodone/fentanyl, and oxymorphone don’t need natural ingredients.
I could be wrong, but I think that’s the case.
“I’m pretty sure that most opiates in the western world are entirely synthetic.”
Possibly. But here is a piece of an article put out by Nature Communications in 2016, just five years ago:
“Opiates are commonly used painkillers that are prescribed for illnesses ranging from cancer to rheumatism and toothaches. They are typically extracted from plants, and more efficient production of opiate has been attempted. Biotechnology methods for poppy cultivation to increase yields have been studied extensively however, complex and unknown mechanisms that regulate biosynthetic pathways might make it difficult to increase opiate yields. Although there are several examples of successful chemical opiate synthesis, cost-effective methods have not been established because of the complex molecular structure of opiates.”
The magic is cost, as usual. If they can import it cheaper than they can make it, it’s, for them, more bang for the buck. I am having resistance finding articles that will say what they are doing currently. But even if this is the case the drug cartels make billions each year and that has a direct effect on the economy for the west. So legal and illegal drugs are a factor. Of course it will cost them the same as pharma to get the stuff. And five years ago it wasn’t cost effective. Not sure.
wy69