VIENNA 11 March 2026
Thank you, Madam Chair, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,
In the ten years since the 2016 General Assembly special session on the world drug problem, the international community has gained awareness of the importance of ensuring the availability of opioid analgesics and psychotropic substances for pain management, treatment of mental health and neurological conditions, and opioid agonist therapy. Political commitments and practical national policies prove that access can be scaled up, even in low-cost settings.
INCB is supporting Member States through the INCB Learning programme, supplementary reports on availability, trend analysis, and engagement with WHO, UNODC and civil society.
However, global progress in improving availability is yet to be reflected in data reported to INCB.
Morphine is one of the most affordable opioids for pain treatment and palliative care. However, in 2024, the year for which the latest data is available to INCB, 82 per cent of the world population, mainly in low- and middle-income countries, consumed only 14 per cent of the total amount of morphine used worldwide for pain management. 86 per cent of the global consumption continued to be concentrated in Europe and North America.
Barriers include regulatory requirements, cultural issues, a lack of training and, critically, affordability.
Tracking consumption of psychotropic substances remains a challenge, as only around half of the countries provide consumption data. Analysis of statistical data received by INCB shows that, while some progress has been achieved, substantial regional disparities persist, including for substances in the WHO Model Lists of Essential Medicines.
In 2024, the anti-epileptic medication phenobarbital continued to be the most manufactured psychotropic substance by weight. Manufacture of the anxiolytic diazepam more than halved. Record quantities of methylphenidate, used for the treatment of ADHD, were manufactured and consumed. Alprazolam, a benzodiazepine used to treat anxiety, was the most consumed psychotropic substance. More details are available in the INCB technical publication on psychotropic substances, which is being launched today together with the technical publication on narcotic drugs.
Ensuring availability is critically important during humanitarian emergencies, where access to controlled medicines must be ensured.
International travellers carrying controlled substances for personal medical use must navigate complex regulations and controls. The Board encourages countries to introduce and update legislation to permit entry of travellers legitimately holding controlled medicines.
Improving availability and access requires an integrated approach that also addresses affordability.
The UNGASS outcome document recommendations and the Board’s availability reports remain a key reference for joint efforts and INCB looks forward to continuing to support your Governments to this end.
Thank you.
