Drug precursors are substances that can be misused for the illicit manufacture of narcotics and psychotropics. The illicit manufacture of drugs affects the legal trade at some point, as many of the raw materials needed are freely available in the regular trade. Increasingly, criminals are supplying through retailers and pharmacies.
Market surveillance, carried out by competent public authorities, on some of these substances is therefore a crucial element in the fight against illicit drug production.
The European regulations (Regulations (EC) 273/2004, (EC) 111/2005, (EU) 2015/1011, (EU) 2015/1013, (EU) 2016/1443, (EU) 2018/729 and (EU) 2020/1737) require mandatory reporting of suspicious orders and transactions of chemical substances listed as scheduled substances.
Besides these scheduled substances, there are many other substances used for the illicit manufacture of narcotics and psychotropics. The brochure "Drug precursors", prepared by the FAMHP in close cooperation with the Federal Police - Drugs Department and the Customs and Excise Administration, lists these other substances. This brochure is intended for relevant economic operators. As new substances are always emerging, this list is not exhaustive. Although there is no notification requirement for these substances, it is recommended to notify suspicious orders to the Central Point of Contact for Drug Precursors, either by e-mail or telephone. Information will always be treated with an appropriate level of confidentiality.
For non-scheduled substances, the competent public services invite economic operators to make reports, to avoid unintentional involvement in the illicit production of narcotics and psychotropics.
The brochure (available at drugprecursor@fagg-afmps.be) provides more information on the issue. It also aims to improve cooperation between economic operators and the authorities. It explains how to recognise a suspicious order or price quote and what to do with the information obtained. You are asked to report any theft, dumping and loss of chemicals.
Reporting suspicious transactions can be done in several ways:
- Through a notification form that can be sent by e-mail to the Drug Precursors unit.
- By phone.
- Here one can use the notification form as a guide.
- By e-mail, without using the notification form.
- Again, the form can be used as a guide, as it indicates what information should be included in the e-mail.
The Drug Precursors unit of the Federal Agency for Medicines and Health Products (FAMHP) acts as the central point of contact. For additional information on drug precursors, please contact:
Federal Agency for Medicines and Health Products (FAMHP)
DG Inspection - Authorisations Division - Drug Precursors Unit
Avenue Galilée 5/03
1210 Brussels
Belgium
Phone number: +32 2 528 40 00
E-mail: drugprecursor@fagg-afmps.be