Published on: April 3, 2025

In a first, India chaired the prestigious UN-backed Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) and pledged to commit to improving global and domestic pain relief and palliative care access.

At the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime’s (UNODC) 68th session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) meeting held in Vienna, India chaired the pivotal session in which it emphasized the necessity of opioids for medical purposes and the country’s significant strides in this area.

(Source: Indian Express, March 26th, 2025)


Article Link: In a first, India chairs UN forum on narcotics, pledges to improve access to pain relief and palliative care
(By Kavita Bajeli Datt)


The Government Opium and Alkaloid Factories, under the Ministry of Finance, prominently featured palliative care and pain management in their brochure. Additionally, Dr. Amirtha, (Clinical Head of Pallium India), was showcased providing care to a patient at the CND event. 

Dr. Parth Sharma, also representing Pallium India, attended the event as a delegate from the UNODC’s Young Doctors Network.
Shri Dinesh Bouddh, Commissioner Central Bureau of Narcotics making his statement at the event.

Millions in India lack access to essential pain relief. Pallium India welcomes the Indian Delegation’s pledge at the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs to address this gap and improve palliative care access. 

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