Kuwait's Minister of Health Dr. Ahmad Al-Awadhi issued on Monday three ministerial decisions regulating the production and manufacture of medicines containing narcotic and psychotropic substances, their use aboard international public aircraft and ships, and the cultivation of narcotic plants for medical and scientific research.
The Ministry of Health said in a press statement that the first decision restricts the production or manufacture of narcotic or psychotropic substances and preparations to licensed pharmaceutical factories with authorisation from the Minister of Health, limiting their use to operations approved by the ministry. It also specifies the requirements and documents needed for production and manufacturing licenses, the types and quantities of substances used, and the
officials responsible for their custody.
The decision establishes an integrated system covering registration, storage, dispensing, inventory, tracking and custody responsibilities, in addition to clear procedures for handling and reporting cases of breakage or loss. It also provides for periodic reports, inspections and oversight to ensure compliance with regulations and strengthen the safety and monitoring of their use for authorised pharmaceutical purposes.
The ministry explained that the second decision regulates the possession and dispensing of psychotropic preparations designated for first aid and emergencies aboard international public aircraft and ships registered in Kuwait. It establishes controls governing their possession, dispensing, use, storage and documentation.
The decision regulates the safe storage, dispensing and documentation of the preparations, assigns responsibility for their custody, and sets procedures for dispensing, returning or replacing packages, as well as measures to be followed in cases of loss or breakage. Their administration is restricted to licensed practitioners or crew members trained in first aid, enhancing preparedness for emergencies and oversight of their possession and use.
The ministry said the third decision sets the conditions and regulations governing the cultivation of narcotic plants for medical or scientific research purposes, establishing a framework for licensing, oversight, documentation and storage.
It added that government entities, research centres, universities, colleges, and licensed public and private specialised institutes may cultivate the plants specified in the decision with authorisation from the Minister of Health and solely for medical or scientific research. Licensing requirements include the type and quantity of seeds, purpose, location and duration of cultivation, and identification of the person responsible for the custody of the seeds and plants.
The ministry explained that cultivation sites must be secured and guarded, with access restricted to authorised persons.
The decision also sets controls for dealing with loss and damage and for destroying crops and remaining quantities in coordination with the competent authorities, in addition to requiring periodic reports and continuous oversight to ensure compliance with the authorised purpose.
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