For information only - not an official document
UNIS/NAR/1406
12 March 2020
VIENNA, 12 March (United Nations Information Service) - In view of the COVID19 pandemic declared by the World Health Organization, the President of the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), Mr. Cornelis P. de Joncheere, has confirmed that INCB is continuing to ensure the functioning of the international system for trade in controlled substances.
Measures are in place to ensure that the Board and its Vienna-based secretariat can - regardless of any local restrictions in place to contain the pandemic - continue to assist competent national authorities in the functioning of the system of international trade in controlled substances.
INCB systems to facilitate licit international trade in controlled substances while preventing their diversion to illicit channels will continue to operate. Competent national authorities will remain able to exchange import and export authorizations for narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances through INCB's International Import and Export Authorization System (I2ES) and issue pre-export notifications for precursor chemicals through INCB's Pre-Export Notification system (PEN-Online).
The President of the Board also takes this opportunity to remind all Governments that in acute emergencies, it is possible to utilize simplified control procedures for the export, transportation and provision of medicinal products containing controlled substances. Competent national authorities may permit the export of medicines containing narcotic drugs and/or psychotropic substances to affected areas even in the absence of the corresponding import authorizations and/or estimates. Urgent deliveries do not need to be included in the estimates of the receiving countries affected by emergencies.
In case of queries or need for assistance, competent national authorities should contact the INCB secretariat at incb.secretariat@un.org.
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For further information please contact:
INCB Secretariat
Telephone for media inquiries: (+43-1) 26060 4163
Email:
incb.secretariat[at]un.org
Website: www.incb.org
