World Health Organization

Model List of Essential Medicines contains the most safe and effective medications to meet the needs of health systems. Toggle to “palliative care” and “pain” in the indications box in this online tool. National governments use the EML to develop their own formularies, and it can be used to argue for access to certain medicines (notably controlled substances) if they are not readily available. The Global Essential Medicines database, allows searching by country and medicine (where data is available).

United Nations: Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND)

CND was established by Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) resolution 9(I) in 1946, to supervise the application of the international drug control treaties. It is the UN’s policymaking body with prime responsibility for drug-related matters. Under the leadership of Ambassador D’Hoop, the focus of CND’s 65th session in 2022 has been ensuring access to and availability of controlled substances for medical and scientific purposes. #NOPATIENTLEFTBEHIND

INCB, UNODC and WHO Joint Statement on Access to Controlled Medicines in Emergencies

Recognizing World Humanitarian Day 2021, the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) once again call on governments to facilitate access to medicines containing controlled substances in emergency settings, including during pandemics and the increasing number of climate-related disasters.

INCB, WHO and UNODC statement on access to internationally controlled medicines during COVID-19 pandemic

The International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) call on governments to ensure that the procurement and supply of controlled medicines in countries meet the needs of patients, both those who have COVID-19 and those who require internationally controlled medicines for other medical conditions.

Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961

This Convention aims to combat drug abuse by coordinated international action. There are two forms of intervention and control that work together. First, it seeks to limit the possession, use, trade in, distribution, import, export, manufacture and production of drugs exclusively to medical and scientific purposes. Second, it combats drug trafficking through international cooperation to deter and discourage drug traffickers.