Regulatory
Drug precursors
Definition
Chemicals that can be used to make narcotic or psychotropic drugs and are controlled under the UN 1988 Convention and national laws.
The UN Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances of 1988 lists precursors in Table I and Table II, such as ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, acetic anhydride and potassium permanganate. Countries add their own lists and licensing rules.
In India, precursors are controlled under the NDPS Act, 1985 and the NDPS (Regulation of Controlled Substances) Order, 2013, which require registration, records and authorisation for import and export. On CompoundList these chemicals can be listed only by documented suppliers and requests are reviewed manually.