Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN) and Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India (PHARMEXCIL) sign MoU to regulate pharmaceutical exports

Key facts

• On August 25, 2026, the Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN) and Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India (PHARMEXCIL) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at CBN Headquarters in Gwalior.
• The MoU aims to promote legitimate pharmaceutical exports while preventing the diversion of controlled substances.
• The documents were exchanged by Dr. Dinesh Bisen, Narcotics Commissioner, and Raja Bhanu, Director General of PHARMEXCIL.
• CBN administers the facilitation, regulatory, and enforcement provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.
• Under the MoU, CBN developed a voluntary and non-binding Code of Conduct for pharmaceutical exporters in consultation with PHARMEXCIL.
• The MoU includes provisions for joint workshops, awareness campaigns, streamlined export procedures, and exchange of information for regulatory purposes.
• This is CBN's third MoU with industry bodies, after agreements with the Indian Chemical Council in 2022 and CHEMEXCIL in 2025.