Agreement between the Central Bureau of Narcotics and the Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India

• The Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN) and the Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India (Pharmexcil) have taken a significant initiative to make the export of medicines from India more secure and transparent.

• Both organizations signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on August 24, 2026, at the CBN headquarters in Gwalior.

• The objective of this agreement is to promote legitimate pharmaceutical exports from the country and to prevent the misuse and illicit diversion of medicines and related products.

• It emphasizes strengthening monitoring, transparency, and regulatory compliance within the export process.

• The Central Bureau of Narcotics operates under the Ministry of Finance. It is the nodal agency responsible for overseeing opium poppy cultivation in India.

• Additionally, the Bureau issues the necessary authorizations for the import and export of narcotic drugs and controlled chemical substances.

• The activities of the CBN are governed by the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985.