NDPS (Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act)
The Indian law governing narcotics and psychotropic substances, under which certain medicines require special export authorisation.
Definition
The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 governs the manufacture, sale and export of narcotics and psychotropic substances in India. Export of any NDPS-controlled substance requires specific authorisation from the Narcotics Commissioner, decided within 21 working days, and is subject to purchase-order-specific, quantity-specific clearance.
Why It Matters
This is the single most heavily enforced area of Indian pharmaceutical export compliance — opioids, benzodiazepines, Z-drugs and related substances are handled under this framework, not the standard export process.
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