Comments on the reported statistics on narcotic drugs

In 2021, the impact of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic on the international trade in controlled substances continued to be felt, as countries tried to stock quantities of some substances because of concerns related to the functioning of the global supply chain of medicines. The consolidated statistics on narcotic drugs for some countries in 2021 confirm that there has been an increase in the consumption, manufacture and stocks of some substances (specifically fentanyl analogues), largely driven by significant increases in the need to provide pain relief and sedation for patients with COVID-19 admitted into intensive care units.

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