Defense Department says ketamine wafers could be used for wounded troops

By Mike Glenn - The Washington Times - Friday, October 23, 2026

The Pentagon is looking at ketamine wafers as a pain medication option for wounded military personnel on the battlefield.

Earlier this year, the Defense Department signed a $41 million contract with Singapore-based ix Biopharma to develop “Wafermine,” a thin ketamine wafer that dissolves under the tongue in about a minute. Company officials said it allows the active drug to absorb directly through the mucous membrane into the bloodstream.

The Department of Health and Human Services authorized the emergency use of the ketamine wafers last month to address urgent military needs.

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“Before the declaration, supply of Wafermine to U.S. military personnel would have required full FDA approval,” ix Biopharma said in a statement.

Combat medics previously relied on medications known as “fentanyl lollipops” for rapid, non-invasive pain relief. However, major drug manufacturers discontinued the product because of low commercial demand and regulatory hurdles.

Unlike opioids such as morphine or fentanyl, ketamine provides rapid, intense pain relief without suppressing breathing or causing dangerous drops in blood pressure. That makes it safe for severely injured troops suffering from head trauma or shock from loss of blood, officials said.

“Wafermine is being developed within a U.S. government-supported program addressing a critical unmet medical need,” Eddy Lee, chairman of ix Biopharma, said in a statement last month. “Our focus now is completing the [Emergency Use Authorization] submission and getting Wafermine to U.S. military personnel urgently.”