In May 2015, the EMCDDA and Europol examined the available information on a new psychoactive substance 1-phenyl-2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-1-pentanone, commonly known as α-pyrrolidinovalerophenone (α-PVP), through a joint assessment. The two organisations concluded that sufficient information had been accumulated to merit the production of a Joint Report on α-PVP as stipulated by Article 5.1 of the Council Decision.

α-PVP is a synthetic derivative of the naturally occurring substance cathinone, which is internationally controlled (5), and one of the psychoactive principles in khat (Catha edulis Forsk).