Access to controlled medicines

News12 February 2026

Access without excess: how to ensure safe, balanced access to controlled medicines around the world - Call for contributions

This collection aims to bring together articles and research addressing the global challenge of opioid access and the development of evidence-informed policies to achieve equitable, safe, and sustainable pain management.

News11 December 2025

INCB statement for Human Rights Day 2025

The INCB warns against extrajudicial responses to drug offences and calls for rights-based, proportionate, and health-focused drug control.

News15 October 2025

Spain: Government approves the use of medical cannabis, limited to hospitals and prescribed by specialists

The regulation will allow hospital specialists to prescribe medical cannabis when other treatments are ineffective.

News30 September 2025

‘Who wouldn’t want pure cocaine?’: the radical plan to prevent overdoses with better drugs

As overdose deaths soar, Vancouver’s Drug User Liberation Front challenges prohibition itself, arguing the real crisis isn’t drug use but unsafe supply and systemic inequality

News1 September 2025

Ukrainian Government adopts National Drug Policy Strategy until 2030 and approves its implementation plan

Ukraine has approved a new National Drug Policy strategy, which aims to improve access to controlled medicines, expand harm reduction programmes, and provide support to marginalized populations.

News10 July 2025

Czech Republic bill to legalize marijuana home cultivation and allow psilocybin for medical use heads to President’s desk

Voted by both houses of the Czech parliament, the bill would decriminalise cannabis home cultivation (up to 3 plants) and possession (up to 100g in private), and enable medical access to psilocybin.

News9 July 2025

Thailand’s cannabis U-turn: Operators have weeks to adapt as recreational use faces ban

The Thai government's abrupt end to cannabis decriminalisation threatens to shut down 90% of retail outlets, pushing people back into an unregulated market, without mechanisms of oversight and accountability.

IDPC in the Media9 July 2025

Thailand’s cannabis U-turn: Operators have weeks to adapt as recreational use faces ban

The Phuket News Thumb: Chris Eassey

Publications17 June 2025

WHO guideline on balanced national controlled medicines policies to ensure medical access and safety: rapid communication

Published 14 May 2025, WHO’s new guidance calls for bold, balanced drug policies that ensure fair access to controlled medicines. It updates 2011 rules with sharper focus on equity, harm reduction, pricing, regulation, and education - anchored in health rights and transparency.

Blog4 June 2025

INCB recommends increased morphine production for palliative care

The INCB’s 2024 report highlights the global failure to ensure equitable access to controlled medicines for pain relief, palliative care, and harm reduction — urging urgent, rights-affirming reforms.

Events

CND Intersessional meeting - Thematic discussions on the implementation of all international drug policy commitments following up to the 2019 Ministerial Declaration (Autumn 2025)

Vienna, Austria

30 September 2025 - 2 October 2025

A CND event to review global drug policy progress, address urgent health challenges, and prepare for 2028 stock-taking and reforms.

News19 May 2025

How LSD saved my mind - Andrea's healing story

PsychedeliCare calls on the European Commission to foster equitable, timely, affordable, safe, and legal access to innovative psychedelic-assisted therapies.

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