The Thai Food and Drug Administration (Thai FDA) is moving forward to strengthen the oversight of medical narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances in Thailand, with a focus on greater transparency, full traceability at every stage, and alignment with the ongoing shift toward digital technology.

Dr. Rungruthai Muanprasitporn, Deputy Secretary-General of the Food and Drug Administration, revealed that the leakage of medical narcotic drugs from the regulated system remains an ongoing concern. In addition, unauthorized imports for online sale continue to be detected. These issues contribute to shortages of medical narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances and create channels for unapproved products to enter the system, thereby affecting patients, the public, and the country as a whole.

As the government agency responsible for the oversight and management of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances in Thailand, with a primary focus on public benefit and consumer protection, the Thai Food and Drug Administration recognizes the need to modernize the regulatory system for narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances so that it becomes more up to date, transparent, and traceable throughout every step. The agency has therefore initiated the development of a track-and-trace system and e-labeling to improve management efficiency, prevent misuse, and reduce inequality in access to information among all groups of the public, including older persons and people with visual impairments.

Accordingly, on 9 February 2026, the Narcotics Control Division convened a preparatory meeting to support the upgrading of the oversight system for medical narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances in Thailand at the Grand Richmond Hotel, Nonthaburi Province. The meeting was held to explain the development approach, implementation plan, timeline, and e-labeling arrangements to licensees involved in medical narcotic drugs, with the aim of fostering shared understanding and readiness to comply with the relevant regulations and guidelines in a consistent manner. This is expected to lead to more efficient management of medical narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances in line with international standards. 

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Publication Date 11 February 2026