Central contact point

Drug precursors are substances which can be used in illicit manufacture of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. Illicit manufacture of drugs can, at times, intersect with legal trade, as a large number of the substances necessary for their manufacture can be sourced from regular trading. Furthermore, an increasing numbers of criminals obtain their supplies through retail stores and pharmacies.

Market monitoring of certain substances by the competent public authorities is therefore a key element in the fight against the illicit manufacture of drugs. 

EU legislations (Regulation (EC) No 273/2004, Council Regulation (EC) No 111/2005, Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2015/1011, (EU) 2015/1013 , (EU) 2016/1443) and Commission Delegated Regulation (EU)2018/729 ) provide for an obligation to notify suspicious orders and transactions concerning 32 substances subdivided into 4 categories.

Apart from these 32 substances, many other substances are used for the illicit manufacture of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. The “Drug precursors brochure” published by the FAMHP in close collaboration with the Federal Police – Central Drugs Department and the Customs and Excise Administration contains a list of the other substances.  This brochure is intended for the relevant economic operators. 

However, new substances continue to appear.  Therefore, this is not an exhaustive list.  On this point, there is no obligation to notify a substance. If you receive a suspect order for one of the substances, you are advised to notify the central contact point of the Drug Precurors Unit by telephone or e-mail. The information is always treated with the appropriate level of confidentiality.

For non-scheduled substances, the competent public services invite the economic operators to make the necessary notifications so as not to become unwittingly involved in the illegal manufacture of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.

The brochure provides more information on the issue. The brochure also aims to improve cooperation between the economic operators and the authorities. It explains how to identify a suspect order/request for a quote and what can be done with the information collected. The authorities also request notification of all theft, dumping or loss of chemical products.

The Drug Precursors Unit at the Federal Agency for Medicines and Health Products functions as the central contact point.

For more information on drug precursors, please contact:

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