Published on: November 17, 2015

“Access to essential medicines is tantamount to the human right for health. We must strive to ensure that those individuals who are suffering and require medication are afforded the opportunity to avail themselves of essential drugs”, said Werner Sipp, president of International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) on 11 November 2015, at the 114th session of the INCB.

Traditionally, INCB has been gravely concerned about the danger of abuse and illicit use of controlled medicines. However,they have been consistently pointing out to some Governments including India that failure to provide pain relief was a matter of great concern.