Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS) are considered a medicine. The World Health Organization (WHO) includes ORS in its Essential Medicines List (EML). Therefore, its procurement and use should adhere to specific quality standards. While often used to treat dehydration, the classification as a medicine signifies its regulated production and administration.
Understanding ORS
ORS are not typically considered illicit drugs in the same way as controlled substances. The Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) referenced in some search results pertain to controlled substance regulations (ORS 475) and pharmacist regulations (ORS 689), but these do not define ORS as a controlled substance. The Oregon Revised Statutes also contains references to prescription drug pricing (ORS 646A.689) and driving under the influence (ORS related to the Colorado Department of Criminal Justice), which are unrelated to the medicinal use of ORS.
Other instances of "ORS" acronyms like the Overdose Response Strategy (ORS) refer to initiatives focused on combating opioid abuse and improving overdose response, which again are distinct from the medicinal use of oral rehydration salts.
- Medical Use: ORS are primarily used to treat dehydration caused by diarrhea, a common ailment.
- Regulation: The WHO's inclusion of ORS in its EML underscores its status as a regulated medicine. This indicates a need for quality control in manufacturing and distribution. Sources like UNICEF emphasize using ORS manufactured as pharmaceutical products, adhering to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).
- Non-Illicit Nature: ORS are not controlled substances and are not subject to regulations for illegal drug use.
In short, while ORS are a medicine used to treat a medical condition, they are not classified as an illicit or controlled drug.
