UNODC is cosponsor of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS - UNAIDS
Industry Meet - RAS/H60 Precursor control project in South and South West Asia
Hotel Ambassador, 11am to 4pm, 12 October 2007
Representatives from Indian industry attending the meet
The objective of the Industry Meet was to focus on the important role of industry and trade in the prevention of diversion of precursor chemicals from the licit to the illicit channels. As manufacturers and traders it was important for them to adopt certain self regulatory measures to supplement the efforts of the enforcement agencies. The Acetic anhydride and the ephedrine/pseudo ephedrine manufacturers and distributors are already complying with a Voluntary Code, there was however, need to revisit the code since diversion of precursors continues. Leading manufacturers of acetic anhydride, ephedrine, pseudo ephedrine and traders/users also participated in the Meet.
Director General, Narcotics Control Bureau in his key note address provided an overview of drug/precursor trafficking patterns in the region and the prevailing legal framework in India. While emphasizing that the Indian chemical industry was conducting due diligence in matters concerning precursors and that he had been supportive of their efforts in international for a, it was necessary to have a re look at the existing VCC.
The Narcotics Commissioner, Central Bureau of Narcotics in her remarks highlighted the ongoing international operations on precursors, the PEN regime, the sensitive regions where diversion attempts had taken place in the past along with vulnerable routes, the need to be aware of substitute chemicals etc.
A presentation was made by Ms Malladi Drugs and Pharmaceutical Ltd on the SOPs they follow in the production and distribution of ephedrine/pseudo ephedrine. Ms Jubilant Organosys Ltd also made a presentation on their best practices concerning acetic anhydride.
Thereafter, Project Coordinator UNODC made a presentation on the Model Voluntary Code of Conduct (VCC). Industry mentioned they exercised adequate controls over their processes and in distribution. After protracted discussions and deliberations on each Article of the VCC, the following conclusions were agreed to:
• The VCC was agreed to in its present format and structure
• A core group of industry and trade will re assess the existing VCC and fine tune it keeping in view the model VCC as presented and prepared by UNODC
• This exercise would be completed by the end of the year and the revised VCC would be presented to DG NCB before being formally adopted
(From left) Ms. Ashita Mittal, National Programme Officer, UNODC, Mr. Gary Lewis, Representative, UNODC Ms. Jagjit Pavadia, Narcotics Commissioner, Central Bureau of Narcotics, India and Mr. K.C.Verma, Director General, Narcotics Control Bureau, India who addressed the representatives from the industry at the Meet.
