Executive summary

For many years, the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) has expressed concern about the limited availability of and access to controlled substances for medical purposes in many regions of the world. Special reports on this issue were published in 1989, 1995, 2010, 2015 and 2018. The present report is a further opportunity to provide the international community with information that may assist in the implementation of the operational recommendations specifically related to availability and access adopted by Member States in the outcome document of the special session of the General Assembly on the world drug problem, held in 2016. The data confirm the persistent disparities between regions in the consumption of opioid analgesics for the treatment of pain. For psychotropic substances, the situation is less clear, but limited access and availability, particularly in low- and middle-income countries seems to be also an issue in this case.

Sustainable Development Goals:

Good Health and Well-Being