Urgent action is needed to ensure that national systems improve access to controlled medicines for people affected by emergencies, including pandemics, and climate-related disasters.

In one of her first tweets after assuming the presidency, Ms Pavadia stressed that drug control measures must respect human rights – a welcome statement that follows the INCB’s new emphasis on human rights, already assumed by her predecessor, Mr Cornelis de Joncheere.

IDPC provides an overview of INCB activities over the past quarter.

The INCB's annual report reflects both progress and shortcomings in the Board's approach to drug control, further integrating human rights considerations whilst showing a degree of inflexibility in relation to national criminal justice reforms.

Stark contrasts are emerging in the global community on how to address the legality of cannabis, as the INCB meets with Filipino and Uruguayan drug control representatives.

INCB affirms to the Philippines its zero-tolerance position regarding human rights violations in the name of drug control.

In clear contrast to the CND and the UNODC, in the last ten years the INCB has played an increasing role in the efforts to integrate international drug control, and the human rights systems.

The 128th session reconfirmed Cornelis P. de Joncheere as INCB President.

The future of the WHO recommendations on the scheduling of cannabis-related substances might be decided behind closed doors, in the run-up to the CND reconvened session.