Urgent health warning as fake MDMA 'never seen in Manchester' being sold at Pride

Manchester City Council have said they are 'concerned' about fake MDMA being sold at Pride and that a substance found in the drug has never been seen before in the region.

Thousands attending the annual four-day celebration have been alerted to a public health message after it was discovered a powder was being mis-sold as powder MDMA.

Back-of-house substance testing, which has been taking place during Pride, alerted the council's public health team that a drug being sold as MDMA contained a substance which has not been seen before in Greater Manchester.

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Multiple samples of BMDP, also known as cathinone benzylone, was found in circulation. The two drugs look similar but BMDP, a synthetic designer drug, can lead to prolonged insomnia and paranoia.

Manchester Pride issued the urgent alert on Sunday morning (August 27) with the council also informing attendees to seek medical attention if they believe they may have taken the substance. They added that the substance had 'not been observed before in Greater Manchester.'

A spokesperson for Manchester City Council said: "This information is concerning and we would advise all attendees of Pride to take care during the weekend. If anyone should feel unwell when out celebrating we'd urge them to seek medical attention urgently."

Manchester Pride posted: "Back-of-house substance testing by @MANDRAKE_LAB has found multiple samples of synthetic #cathinone #benzylone (BMDP) being mis-sold as powder #MDMA circulating at Manchester Pride Festival. If unwell please seek medical attention."

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