VIENNA, 12 August 2026 -With an earthquake of magnitude 7.4M that struck Colombia on Monday, the acute humanitarian needs resulting from the emergency situations requires urgent action to ensure shipments of medications, including medicines containing internationally controlled narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
INCB reminds all Governments that in acute emergencies, such as the one experienced in Colombia, 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 the areas 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 country.
The Board and its secretariat express their closest solidarity to the Government and people of Colombia in these difficult moments.
