RUSSIAN FEDERATION
FEDERAL ACT
On narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances
Adopted by the State Duma on 10 December 1997
Approved by the Federation Council on 24 December 1997
This Federal Act establishes the legal bases of State policy governing trade in
narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances and prevention of illicit trafficking
therein for the purposes of protecting public health, State security and public
safety.
Chapter I. General Provisions Article 1. Basic concepts
For the purposes of this Federal Act, the following basic concepts are used: "Narcotic drugs"
means any substance of synthetic or natural origin, preparation or plant included in the
Schedule of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors controlled in the
Russian Federation pursuant to its legislation and to the international agreements to which
it is party, including the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961; "Psychotropic substances"
means any substance of synthetic or natural origin, preparation or natural material included
in the Schedule of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors controlled
in the Russian Federation pursuant to its legislation and to the international agreements to
which it is party, including the Convention on Psychotropic Substances, 1971; "Precursor of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances" (hereinafter referred to as "precursor")
means any substance frequently used in the production, manufacture and processing of
narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances included in the Schedule of narcotic drugs and
psychotropic substances and their precursors controlled in the Russian Federation pursuant
to its legislation and to the international agreements to which it is party, including the
United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic
Substances, 1988; "Analogue of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances"
means any substance of synthetic or natural origin subject to a trading prohibition in the
Russian Federation which is not included in the Schedule of narcotic drugs, psychotropic
substances and their precursors controlled in the Russian Federation and whose chemical
structure and properties is similar to the chemical structure and properties of the narcotic
drug or psychotropic substance whose psychoactive effects it mimics; "Preparation"
means any mixture of substances in any physical state containing one or more narcotic
drugs or psychotropic substances included in the Schedule of narcotic drugs, psychotropic
substances and their precursors controlled in the Russian Federation; "Trade in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors"
means the cultivation of plants; and the development, production, manufacture,
processing, storage, transport, shipment, dispatch, sale, distribution, purchase, utilization,
import or export into or out of the customs territory of the Russian Federation, or
destruction of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors permitted and
controlled pursuant to the legislation of the Russian Federation; "Illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors"
means trade in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors carried out in
violation of the legislation of the Russian Federation; "Production of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances"
means any action aimed at the serial production of narcotic drugs or psychotropic
substances from chemical substances and/or plants; "Manufacture of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances"
means any actions resulting in the production, from narcotic drugs, psychotropic
substances or their precursors, of forms of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances or of
substances containing their medicinal elements which are ready for use and consumption; "Processing of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances"
means any action resulting in the refining of (elimination of impurities from) preparations
and increasing of concentrations of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances therein or the
production therefrom of substances that are not themselves narcotic drugs or psychotropic
substances; "Distribution of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances"
means any action as a result of which, pursuant to the regulations established by the
Government of the Russian Federation, specific corporate bodies obtain in quantities pre-
established for them specific narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances for the purpose of
conducting trade therein; "Import (export) of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors " (hereinafter
referred to as "import (export) ")
means the transfer of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors from
the customs territory of a foreign State into the customs territory of the Russian Federation
or from the customs territory of the Russian Federation into the customs territory of a
foreign State; "Drug dependence"
means a pathological condition caused by dependence on narcotic drugs or psychotropic
substances; "Drug-dependent person"
means a person who, on the basis of a medical examination conducted pursuant to this
Federal Act, is diagnosed as suffering from "drug dependence"; "Illicit use of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances"
means the consumption of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances without a physician’s
prescription;
"State quotas for narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances" (hereinafter referred to as "State quotas ")
means quotas for narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances established by the
Government of the Russian Federation pursuant to the international agreements to which
the Russian Federation is party on the basis of a calculation of its requirements for narcotic
drugs and psychotropic substances for the purposes of conducting trade therein.
Article 2. Schedule of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and
their precursors controlled in the Russian Federation
1. Narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors controlled in the Russian
Federation shall be included in the Schedule of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and
their precursors controlled in the Russian Federation (hereinafter referred to as the
"Schedule") and, depending on the control measures applied by the State, shall also be
included in the following lists:
- List of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances whose trade is prohibited in the
Russian Federation pursuant to its legislation and to the international agreements to which
it is party (hereinafter referred to as "List I");
- List of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances whose trade in the Russian Federation
is restricted and in respect of which control measures are established pursuant to the
legislation of the Russian Federation and to the international agreements to which it is party
(hereinafter referred to as "List II");
- List of psychotropic substances whose trade in the Russian Federation is restricted and in
respect of which exemptions are permitted from certain control measures pursuant to the
legislation of the Russian Federation and to the international agreements to which it is party
(hereinafter referred to as "List III");
- List of precursors whose trade in the Russian Federation is restricted and in respect of
which control measures are established pursuant to the legislation of the Russian
Federation and to the international agreements to which it is party (hereinafter referred to
as "List IV").
2. The Schedule shall be subject to approval by the Government of the Russian Federation
upon its submission by the federal organ of executive power for public health and the
federal organ of executive power for internal affairs. The Schedule shall be published
officially pursuant to the legislation of the Russian Federation.
3. Procedures for introducing amendments and additions in the Schedule shall be
established by the Government of the Russian Federation.
4. Similar control measures shall be envisaged for preparations as those established for the
narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances contained therein.
5. In the case of preparations containing small quantities of the narcotic drugs,
psychotropic substances and their precursors included in Lists II, III or IV, which
accordingly present a negligible danger or no danger of abuse and from which the
aforementioned drugs or substances are not easily amenable to diversion, exemptions may
be envisaged to certain control measures established by this Federal Act. Procedures for the
application of control measures to the aforementioned preparations shall be established by
the Government of the Russian Federation.
6. The federal organ of executive power for public health shall establish the maximum
permissible quantity of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances or their precursors that
may be contained in the preparations referred to in paragraph 5 of this article.
Article 3. Legislation of the Russian Federation on narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors
1. The legislation of the Russian Federation on narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and
their precursors consists of the present Federal Act, other federal acts and other regulatory
legal enactments of the Russian Federation adopted pursuant thereto.
2. If provisions differing from those foreseen by this Federal Act are established by an
international agreement to which the Russian Federation is party, the provisions of such
international agreement shall prevail.
Article 4. State policy governing trade in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances and prevention of illicit trafficking therein
1. State policy governing trade in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances and
prevention of illicit trafficking therein is aimed at establishing strict control over trade in
narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, at progressively reducing the number of drug-
dependent persons and at reducing the number of violations of the law related to illicit
trafficking in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
2. State policy governing trade in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances and
prevention of illicit trafficking therein is founded on the following principles:
- The existence of a State monopoly of the main types of activity connected with trade in
narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances;
- Licensing of all types of activity connected with trade in narcotic drugs and psychotropic
substances;
- Coordination of activities undertaken by federal organs of executive power, organs of
executive power of subjects of the Russian Federation and organs of local self-government;
- Assigning of priority to measures to prevent drug dependence and violations of the law
related to illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, and promotion of
public information activities aimed at drug control;
- State support for scientific research aimed at developing new drug-dependence
therapeutic techniques;
- Involvement of non-State organizations and the public in efforts to curb the spread of
drug dependence and to develop the network of medico-social establishments for the
rehabilitation of drug-dependent persons;
- Development of multilateral and bilateral international cooperation in the prevention of
illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
Article 5. State monopoly of the main types of activity related to trade in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances
1. In the Russian Federation, the State shall have a monopoly of the main types of activity
related to trade in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, namely the cultivation of
plants; and the development, processing, distribution, import (export) and destruction of
narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
2. The types of activity specified in paragraph 1 of this article, together with the production
of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances included in List II, shall be undertaken by
unitary State enterprises and State establishments only, in conformity with the provisions
of this Federal Act and other regulatory legal enactments of the Russian Federation adopted
pursuant thereto.
3. The manufacture of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances included in List II shall be
undertaken by unitary State or municipal enterprises and State establishments in
accordance with the provisions of this Federal Act and other regulatory legal enactments of
the Russian Federation adopted pursuant thereto.
4. Violation of the State monopoly of the types of activity specified in paragraphs 1 to 3 of
this article shall entail liability to prosecution pursuant to the legislation of the Russian
Federation.
5. The production and manufacture of psychotropic substances included in List III and of
preparations referred to in article 2, paragraph 5, of this Federal Act shall be carried out by
enterprises and establishments of whatsoever form of ownership in conformity with the
provisions of this Federal Act and other regulatory legal enactments of the Russian
Federation adopted pursuant thereto.
6. The manufacture of medical drugs not included in Lists II or III and containing small
quantities of preparations referred to in article 2, paragraph 5, of this Federal Act shall be
carried out by enterprises and establishments of whatsoever form of ownership in
conformity with the provisions of this Federal Act and other regulatory legal enactments of
the Russian Federation adopted pursuant thereto.
Chapter II.
Organizational framework for activities related to trade in narcotic
drugs and psychotropic substances and to prevention of illicit
trafficking therein
Article 6. Organs specially authorized to fulfil functions related to trade in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances and to
prevention of illicit trafficking therein
1. With a view to the implementation of State policy governing trade in narcotic drugs and
psychotropic substances and prevention of illicit trafficking therein, the President of the
Russian Federation or the Government of the Russian Federation shall authorize specially
created federal organs or other federal organs of executive power to fulfil functions related
to trade in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances and to prevention of illicit trafficking
therein.
2. Subjects of the Russian Federation may establish corresponding organs specially
authorized to fulfil functions related to trade in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances
and to prevention of illicit trafficking therein.
Article 7. Regulation of activities related to trade in narcotic drugs
and psychotropic substances and to prevention of illicit trafficking therein
1. Responsibility for the legal regulation of activities related to trade in narcotic drugs and
psychotropic substances and to prevention of illicit trafficking therein shall be vested in
federal organs of executive power, within the limits of their competence.
2. Federal organs of executive power, organs of executive power of subjects of the Russian
Federation, organs of local self-government and organs specially authorized to fulfil
functions related to narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances and to prevention of illicit
trafficking therein shall, within the limits of their competence, take measures to ensure
execution of the legislation of the Russian Federation on narcotic drugs, psychotropic
substances and their precursors.
3. Non-State organizations and associations shall not be entitled to engage in regulation of
activities related to trade in narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances or to prevention of
illicit trafficking therein.
Article 8. General provisions governing activities related to narcotic
drugs and psychotropic substances
1. Trade in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances in the territory of the Russian
Federation shall be carried out only for the purposes of and in conformity with the
provisions of this Federal Act and of the regulatory legal enactments of the Russian
Federation adopted pursuant thereto.
2. All types of activity related to trade in narcotic drugs and psychotropic activities in the
territory of the Russian Federation shall be carried out in conformity with the legislation of
the Russian Federation and with the international agreements to which it is party only upon
receipt of a licence for the specific type of activity in question and of a licence for the use of
facilities and premises in which activities related to trade in narcotic drugs and psychotropic
substances are carried out. Regulations governing the issuance of the aforesaid licences
shall be established by the Government of the Russian Federation.
3. The Government of the Russian Federation shall establish regulations governing the
authorization of persons to engage in work involving narcotic drugs and psychotropic
substances.
4. The Government of the Russian Federation shall draw up a list of specially controlled
types of instrumentation and equipment used in the production and manufacture of narcotic
drugs and psychotropic substances (hereinafter referred to as "instruments or equipment"),
together with regulations for their development, production, manufacture, storage,
transport, shipment, dispatch, sale, distribution, purchase, utilization, import into or export
out of the customs territory of the Russian Federation, and destruction.
Chapter III.
Special provisions applicable to licensing in relation to trade in
narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances
Article 9. Main licensing requirements in relation to trade in narcotic
drugs and psychotropic substances
1. The following types of activity related to trade in narcotic drugs and psychotropic
substances in the Russian Federation shall be included in the lists of types of activity for
which a licence shall be required: cultivation of plants; development, production,
manufacture, processing, storage, transport, shipment, dispatch, sale, distribution,
purchase, utilization, import (export), and destruction of narcotic drugs and psychotropic
substances included in Lists II and III.
2. Licences for types of activity related to trade in narcotic drugs and psychotropic
substances shall be issuable by federal organs of executive power and specially authorized
organs pursuant to the licensing provisions in effect in the territory of the Russian
Federation and the regulations approved by the Government of the Russian Federation with
regard to licensing of specific types of activity related to trade in narcotic drugs and
psychotropic substances.
3. Licences for types of activity related to trade in narcotic drugs and psychotropic
substances may be issued for a period of not more than five years.
4. Licences issued earlier to corporate bodies for types of activity related to trade in
narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances shall remain valid for the periods for which they
were issued, but for not more than nine months from the date of entry into force of this
Federal Act.
5. Regulations governing the renewal of licences for types of activity related to trade in
narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances issued prior to the entry into force of this
Federal Act shall be established by the Government of the Russian Federation.
6. If a corporate body changes the nature of its activity related to trade in narcotic drugs
and psychotropic substances, it shall be required to obtain a licence for the new type of
activity.
Article 10. Special provisions applicable to licensing requirements and conditions
1. A licence for a type of activity related to trade in narcotic drugs and psychotropic
substances may be issued to a corporate body whose senior management includes a
professionally qualified specialist in the specific type of activity for which a licence is sought.
The director of the corporate body shall bear personal responsibility for monitoring
compliance with the provisions of this Federal Act and with the requirements of the
corresponding licence.
2. In order to obtain a licence for a type of activity related to trade in narcotic drugs and
psychotropic substances, the corporate body shall be required to fulfil the conditions
stipulated with regard to the accounting and safe keeping of narcotic drugs and
psychotropic substances, as well as the safety precautions applicable to the type of activity
in question.
3. In addition to the documentation whose submission is required under the legislation of
the Russian Federation on licensing, the corporate body shall also append to its application
for a licence for a type of activity related to trade in narcotic drugs and psychotropic
substances the following:
- A certificate signed by a specialist attesting that the professional qualifications of the
director of the corporate body of or of a department of the corporate body correspond to
the type of activity to be licensed;
- Certificates issued by establishments within the State or municipal public-health system
attesting that personnel who, as part of their official duties, enjoy direct access to narcotic
drugs and psychotropic substances are free from drug-dependence, substance-dependence
and alcoholism, and that such personnel do not include any persons deemed unsuitable for
the performance of specific types of professional or other activity related to an increased
risk, as established by the legislation of the Russian Federation.
4. In the issuance of a licence for a type of activity related to trade in narcotic drugs and
psychotropic substances, account shall be taken of the finding of the internal affairs organs
as to whether, in the case of personnel who, as part of their official duties, enjoy direct
access to narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, there is any criminal conviction
which has been neither extinguished nor expunged for a moderately serious, serious or
very serious offence or for a crime related to illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs or
psychotropic substances, including an offence committed outside the Russian Federation, as
well as the finding as to whether such employees have been charged with the commission
of offences related to illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances.
5. A licence may be issued for the industrial use of plants listed in the Schedule, with the
exception of the production and manufacture of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances,
if the corporate body is able to demonstrate the necessity for the use of such plants and
fulfilment of the conditions for precluding the following possibilities:
- Theft of the aforesaid plants and of finished products or waste products derived therefrom
as a result of the production process;
- The manufacture of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances from the products
obtained.
6. Licences for types of activity related to the use of narcotic drugs or psychotropic
substances for scientific and teaching purposes shall indicate the names of persons engaged
in such types of activity, the quantity of the narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances used
and the procedures envisaged for disposal of the waste products of the narcotic drugs or
psychotropic substances upon completion of the activity in question.
Article 11. Grounds for refusal of a licence
In addition to the grounds for refusal of a licence stipulated by the legislation
of the Russian Federation on licensing, a further ground for refusal of a
licence for a type of activity related to trade in narcotic drugs or psychotropic
substances shall be the non-fulfilment of the requirements for ensuring the
safety of such activity, or the accounting or safe keeping of the narcotic
drugs or psychotropic substances.
Article 12. Extension, suspension or termination of the period of
validity of a licence
1. The period of validity of a licence for a type of activity related to trade in narcotic drugs
or psychotropic substances may be extended by no more than three years. The holder of
such a licence shall be required to apply for an extension of the period of validity of the
licence at least two months prior to expiry thereof.
2. The validity of a licence may be suspended or terminated prior to expiry of the period for
which it was issued under circumstances stipulated by the legislation of the Russian
Federation.
3. Where circumstances arise entailing the suspension of the validity of a licence, the
licence may not be suspended for a period of longer than six months if the holder of the
licence in question rectifies the infraction identified. The period during which the licence was
suspended shall be taken into consideration in the period for which the licence was issued.
4. Any decision concerning the issuing of a licence for a type of activity related to trade in
narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances or concerning the suspension or termination of
the period of validity of a licence shall be reported within a period of three days to the
internal affairs organs, organs of executive power and organs of local self-government
authorized to exercise control over trade in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
Article 13. Licence for the use of facilities and premises for the pursuit of an activity related to trade in narcotic drugs and
psychotropic substances
1. A licence for the use of any facility or premises for the pursuit of an activity related to
trade in narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances shall be issuable by the internal affairs
organ to the corporate body in conjunction with the licence for the corresponding type of
activity related to trade in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, pursuant to the
regulations established by the Government of the Russian Federation.
2. Licences for the use of facilities or premises for the pursuit of an activity related to trade
in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances shall be issuable subject to verification that
the facilities and premises in question fulfil the requirements laid down by the federal organ
of executive power for internal affairs.
3. Lists of facilities and premises for whose use such a licence has been issued shall be
submitted by the licence-holder on an annual basis to the internal affairs organs in
conformity with the regulations established by the federal organ of executive power for
internal affairs.
4. No licence shall be required for the use of facilities and premises belonging to organs of
the prosecution service, internal affairs organs, customs organs, or organs of the federal
security service for the purpose of storing narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances
seized from illicit traffic.
5. The termination of the period of validity of a licence for the use of facilities and premises
for the pursuit of an activity related to trade in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances
shall simultaneously entail termination of the period of validity of the licence for the
corresponding type of activity related to trade in narcotic drugs and psychotropic
substances.
Chapter IV.
Conditions for the pursuit of particular types of activity related to
trade in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors
Article 14. Restriction or prohibition of trade in certain narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors
1. Trade in the narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances included in List I shall be
permissible only for the purposes specified by articles 34 to 36 of this Federal Act.
2. Trade in the narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances included in Lists II and III shall
be permissible for medical purposes against a physician’s prescription and also for the
purposes specified by articles 34 to 36 of this Federal Act.
3. In the Russian Federation there shall be introduced the restrictions on trade in
precursors included in List IV which are specified by article 30 of this Federal Act.
4. Trade in analogues of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances in the Russian
Federation shall be prohibited.
Article 15. State quotas
1. State quotas setting the limits for the cultivation of plants included in the Schedule and
for the production, storage and import (export) of narcotic drugs and psychotropic
substances shall be established by the Government of the Russian Federation.
2. The restrictions established by paragraph 1 of this article with regard to the storage of
narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances shall not extend to facilities and premises
owned by organs of the prosecution service, internal affairs organs, customs organs or
organs of the federal security service for the purpose of storing narcotic drugs and
psychotropic substances seized from illicit traffic.
Article 16. Development of new narcotic drugs and psychotropic
substances
1. The development of new narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances shall be permissible
only for the purposes envisaged by this Federal Act.
2. The development and official registration of new narcotic drugs and psychotropic
substances used for medical purposes shall be carried out in conformity with the legislation
of the Russian Federation on medical drugs.
3. The development of new narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances shall take place
only upon commission by the State and shall be entrusted to State scientific research
establishments holding a licence for the type of activity in question. If a newly developed
narcotic drug or psychotropic substance is proposed for medical use, clinical trials thereon
shall be conducted in conformity with the legislation of the Russian Federation on medical
drugs.
Article 17. Production and manufacture of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances
1. The production of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances included in List II for
purposes established by this Federal Act shall be carried out within the limits of the State
quotas by federally owned unitary State enterprises and State establishments holding
licences for the production of specific narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances.
Privatization and other forms of denationalization of the aforesaid enterprises and
establishments shall be prohibited.
2. The manufacture of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances included in List II for
purposes established by this Federal Act shall be carried out by unitary State or municipal
enterprises and State establishments holding a licence for the manufacture of specific
narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances.
3. Enterprises engaging in the development, production, manufacture, purchase, utilization
or destruction of instruments or equipment shall not be open to privatization or other forms
of denationalization.
4. Privatization and other forms of denationalization of enterprises and establishments
belonging to the single technological complex supporting the production of narcotic drugs
and psychotropic substances included in List II shall be prohibited.
5. The production and manufacture of psychotropic substances included in List III for
purposes established by this Federal Act shall be carried out by enterprises and
establishments, of whatsoever form of ownership, holding a licence for the production and
manufacture of specific psychotropic substances.
6. Enterprises and establishments engaging in the production of narcotic drugs or
psychotropic substances shall be subject to State registration in the Russian Federation in
conformity with the legislation of the Russian Federation and the international agreements
to which it is party.
7. Enterprises and establishments engaging in the manufacture of narcotic drugs or
psychotropic substances shall be subject to State registration in the Russian Federation in
conformity with the legislation of the Russian Federation.
Article 18. Cultivation of plants included in the Schedule
1. Unitary State enterprises shall be permitted to cultivate plants included in the Schedule
within the limits of the assigned State quotas.
2. In the territory of the Russian Federation, cultivation of the following plants shall be
prohibited: opium poppy and coca bush.
3. In the territory of the Russian Federation, cultivation of hemp for the purposes of illicit
consumption or use in illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs shall be prohibited.
4. Decisions regarding the prohibition of the cultivation of specific varieties of hemp and
other plants in the territory of the Russian Federation shall be within the discretion of the
Government of the Russian Federation.
5. Regulations governing authorization of the cultivation of plants included in the Schedule
and regulations governing their utilization for industrial purposes, with the exception of the
production and manufacture of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, shall be
established by the Government of the Russian Federation.
Article 19. Processing of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances for the purpose of producing preparations included in Lists II and III
The processing of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances for the purpose
of producing preparations included in Lists II and III or the production
therefrom of substances other than narcotic drugs and psychotropic
substances shall be carried out by unitary State enterprises in conformity
with the regulations established by the Government of the Russian
Federation, provided that the said enterprises hold a licence for the type of
activity in question.
Article 20. Storage of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances
1. Narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances shall be stored in specially equipped
premises by corporate bodies holding a licence for that type of activity in conformity with
the regulations established by the Government of the Russian Federation.
Article 21. General regulations for the transport of narcotic drugs and
psychotropic substances
1. Entitlement to engage in the transport of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances in
the territory of the Russian Federation shall be exercised by corporate bodies holding a
licence for such activity.
2. The safeguarding of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances shall be the
responsibility of the corporate bodies transporting them.
3. Regulations for the transport of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances in the
territory of the Russian Federation and for preparation of the requisite documentation for
that purpose shall be established by the Government of the Russian Federation.
4. Individuals shall be permitted to transport narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances
received for medical purposes pursuant to article 25 of this Federal Act provided that they
possess a certificate issued by a pharmacy organization attesting to the legality of the
receipt of the narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
Article 22. Prohibition of the shipment of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances
1. The shipment of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances in postal dispatches,
whether domestic or international, shall be prohibited.
2. The shipment of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances in the guise of humanitarian
aid shall be prohibited, with the exception of cases where, in emergency situations, narcotic
drugs or psychotropic substances are sent to specific subjects of the Russian Federation
pursuant to decisions of the Government of the Russian Federation.
Article 23. Release, sale and distribution of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances
The release, sale and distribution of narcotic drugs and psychotropic
substances shall be carried out by corporate bodies in accordance with the
regulations established by the Government of the Russian Federation,
provided that such corporate bodies hold the requisite licence to perform the
aforesaid types of activity.
Article 24. Purchase of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances
Narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances may be purchased by corporate
bodies with a view to their production, manufacture, processing, sale or
utilization for medical or other purposes only in conformity with this Federal
Act, provided that such corporate bodies hold a licence for the aforesaid
types of activity.
Article 25. Dispensing of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances
to individuals
1. Narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances may be dispensed to individuals only in
pharmacy organizations and health-care establishments holding a licence for such activity.
Lists of the functions of medical and pharmaceutical personnel and of organizations and
establishments authorized to dispense narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances to
individuals shall be drawn up by the federal organ of executive power for public health by
agreement with the federal organ of executive power for internal affairs.
2. Narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances included in Lists II and III shall be dispensed
for medical purposes against prescription.
3. Regulations for the dispensing of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances to
individuals shall be established by the federal organ of executive power for public health by
agreement with the federal organ of executive power for internal affairs.
4. The federal organ of executive power for public health shall determine the maximum
periods for the prescription of specific narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances included
in Lists II and III, as well as the quantity of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances that
may be prescribed by means of a single prescription.
5. When prescribing narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances included in Lists II and III,
the prescribing practitioner shall be required to question the patient regarding previous
prescriptions of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances and to make a corresponding
entry in that patient’s medical file.
6. Pharmacy organizations and health-care establishments shall be prohibited from
dispensing narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances included in List II against
prescription if a period of more than five days has elapsed since the date of issuance of the
prescription.
Article 26. Prescriptions of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances
1. Prescriptions of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances shall be written on special
forms.
2. The format of the forms used for such prescriptions and the procedures for their
registration, accounting and storage, as well as rules for their preparation, shall be
established by the federal organ of executive power for public health by agreement with the
federal organ of executive power for internal affairs.
3. The issuing of prescriptions of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances which do not
indicate the requisite medical information or which infringe the rules established for their
preparation shall be prohibited and shall entail liability to criminal prosecution in conformity
with the legislation of the Russian Federation.
Article 27. Packaging and labelling of narcotic drugs and
psychotropic substances
1. The outer and inner packaging and labelling of narcotic drugs and psychotropic
substances used for medical purposes shall fulfil the requirements laid down by the
legislation of the Russian Federation on medical drugs as well as those of this Federal Act.
2. The outer packaging of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances shall be such as to
preclude the possibility of the contents being removed without the integrity of the
packaging being destroyed.
3. The inner packaging of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances used for medical
purposes shall be marked by a double red band.
4. In the event of the failure of the outer and inner packaging and labelling of narcotic
drugs and psychotropic substances used for medical purposes to fulfil the requirements set
out in paragraphs 1 to 3 of this article, those narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances
shall be destroyed in conformity with the legislation of the Russian Federation.
Article 28. Special provisions applicable to import (export)
1. Import (export) shall be carried out by unitary State enterprises holding a licence for
that type of activity, issued by the federal organ of executive power and a specially
authorized organ pursuant to the legislation of the Russian Federation.
2. The Government of the Russian Federation shall adopt a special decision on the schedule
of specific precursors included in List IV to be covered by paragraph 1 of this article.
3. For each instance in which the customs border of the Russian Federation is crossed for
the purposes of import (export) by the aforementioned unitary State enterprises,
authorization shall be obtained from the federal organs of executive power and from
specially authorized organs, together with a certificate of authorization to import (export)
issuable pursuant to the regulations established by the Government of the Russian
Federation. The aforesaid authorizations and certificate shall not be transferable to any
other corporate body.
4. In order to obtain a certificate of authorization to import (export) specific narcotic drugs,
psychotropic substances and their precursors, a unitary State enterprise shall be required
to submit an application to the federal organ of executive power for public health, stating
the following:
- Purposes of the import (export);
- Names and legal addresses of the unitary State enterprise effecting the import (export)
and of the consignee;
- The international non-proprietary name of the narcotic drug or psychotropic substance or,
failing this, the first name under which it was produced, or the name under which the
narcotic drug or psychotropic substance in question is currently produced, or the name of
the precursor in question;
- The medical formula of the narcotic drug or psychotropic substance;
- The availability of a certificate of quality of the narcotic drug or psychotropic substance;
- The quantity of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances or their precursors in the
particular consignment;
- The import (export) periods;
- The means of transport planned for effecting the import (export) or the means of
dispatch;
- The time and place at which the customs border of the Russian Federation is to be crossed
by the specific consignment of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances or their precursors;
- Other information required under the regulations established by the Government of the
Russian Federation.
5. All consignments of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances or their precursors shall be
accompanied by authenticated copies of the authorizations stipulated by paragraph 3 of this
article, such copies to be sent to the relevant competent organ of the State from which the
import (export) is to be effected. An import (export) for which no name or legal address is
stated in respect of the unitary State enterprise effecting the import (export) shall be
prohibited.
6. Corporate bodies effecting an import (export) shall exchange between themselves the
corresponding certificates. The customs authorities shall make a note on the aforesaid
certificate recording the arrival of the particular consignment of narcotic drugs,
psychotropic substances or their precursors.
7. If the quantity of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances or their precursors imported
(exported) does not correspond to the quantity indicated on the certificate of authorization
to import (export), the competent organ of the State from which they are exported (or into
which they are imported) shall be notified of the matter.
8. The transit of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances or their precursors across the
customs territory of the Russian Federation shall be prohibited.
9. In the event of failure to fulfil the requirements laid down by this article, the narcotic
drugs, psychotropic substances or their precursors in question shall be liable to confiscation
pursuant to the legislation of the Russian Federation. Procedures for the further use or
destruction of the confiscated narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances or their precursors
shall be established by the Government of the Russian Federation, unless otherwise
provided by the legislation of the Russian Federation.
10. The provisions of this article shall not apply in cases specified by article 31, paragraph
7, of this Federal Act.
Article 29. Destruction of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors, instruments or equipment
1. Narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors, and instruments or
equipment whose continued use is deemed inadvisable, shall be destroyed in accordance
with the regulations established by the Government of the Russian Federation.
2. Such destruction of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances shall be permissible in
the following circumstances:
- If their period of validity has expired;
- If the narcotic drug or psychotropic substance has undergone chemical or physical
alteration resulting in its unfitness for use such as to preclude the possibility of its
restoration or processing;
- If the unused narcotic drugs have been obtained from the relatives of a deceased patient;
- If the identification of the preparation as a narcotic drug or psychotropic substance is
problematic;
- If the narcotic drug or psychotropic substance seized from illicit traffic may not be used
for medical, scientific or other purposes, or in other circumstances specified by the
legislation of the Russian Federation.
3. Corporate bodies which do not hold a licence to cultivate specific plants included in the
Schedule and individuals who own or use plots of land on which such plants are cultivated
shall be required to destroy them. If they refuse to do so voluntarily, forcible destruction of
the plants shall be effected at the expense of the said individuals or corporate bodies.
4. Procedures for the destruction of plants included in the Schedule shall be established by
the Government of the Russian Federation.
Article 30. General provisions applicable to control over trade in precursors
1. The production, manufacture, processing, sale, distribution and import (export) of
precursors included in List IV shall be governed by the provisions of this Federal Act, by
other federal laws and by other regulatory legal enactments of the Russian Federation
adopted pursuant thereto.
2. Corporate bodies may purchase and use precursors included in List IV in their own
production operations provided that they hold a licence to perform such activity in
quantities not in excess of their production requirements.
3. The federal organs of executive power and specially authorized organs issuing
authorization for the import (export) of precursors may deny such authorizations if there
are sufficient grounds to believe that the precursors in question are intended for illicit
manufacture of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances.
4. In performing an activity related to trade in precursors included in List IV, any operations
involving a change in the quantity of precursors shall be subject to registration in special
registers by persons required to perform that task by order of the director of the corporate
body. The aforesaid registers shall be kept for a period of ten years reckoned from the date
of the last entry therein.
5. Procedures for maintaining and storing the aforesaid registers shall be established by the
Government of the Russian Federation.
6. Corporate bodies performing an activity related to trade in precursors included in List IV
shall be required to notify the internal affairs organs and the organs of executive power
authorized to exercise control over trade in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and
their precursors of any instance in which the quantity of the purchased or ordered precursor
exceeds production requirements and of repeated instances of such purchases or orders.
7. In cases where there exist sufficient grounds to believe that any of the precursors
included in List IV is intended for the illicit manufacture of a narcotic drug or psychotropic
substances, the organs indicated in article 41, paragraph 1, of this Federal Act shall be
entitled to suspend the activity performed by the corporate body in relation to trade in the
said precursor for a period of up to three months.
Chapter V.
Use of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances
Article 31. Use of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances for
medical purposes
1. Narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances included in Lists II and III may be used for
medical purposes.
2. Narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances permitted to be used for medical purposes
are covered by the legislation of the Russian Federation insofar as no conflict thereby arises
with this Federal Act.
3. The federal organ of executive power for public health shall determine the regulations
and conditions for the use of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances for medical
purposes.
4. Narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances included in Lists II and III may not be used
by physicians in private medical practice.
5. Control over trade in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances in pharmacy
organizations and health-care establishments shall be exercised by special committees
established in conformity with regulations established by the federal organ of executive
power for public health by agreement with the federal organ of executive power for internal
affairs.
6. In the Russian Federation the use of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances included
in List II for the treatment of drug dependence shall be prohibited.
7. Subject to special authorization by the federal organ of executive power for public health,
it shall be permitted to import (export) a limited quantity of narcotic drugs and psychotropic
substances included in Lists II and III for the stocking in the quantities necessary for
providing emergency treatment, of first-aid kits on ships, aircraft and railway trains
engaged in international traffic.
8. The authorization referred to in paragraph 7 of this article shall specify the person or
persons responsible for the safe keeping and use of the narcotic drugs and psychotropic
substances in question, as well as the conditions for receipt, registration, storage and
dispensing thereof; such authorization shall also state the conditions governing the
submission of reports on the use of such narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances.
9. Control over the use of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances kept in the
aforementioned first-aid kits shall be entrusted to specially authorized organs for public
health and to organs engaged in the prevention of illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs and
psychotropic substances.
Article 32. Use of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances for the treatment of passengers in transit
1. Persons undergoing treatment who are in transit through the territory of the Russian
Federation may carry, for the purposes of medical treatment, narcotic drugs or psychotropic
substances included in Lists II and III in conformity with the regulations established by the
Government of the Russian Federation.
2. If a person referred to in paragraph 1 of this article is detained on the territory of the
Russian Federation and, for his continued medical treatment, requires a further supply of
narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances, such drugs or substances shall be dispensed
against a prescription issuable in the Russian Federation pursuant to the regulations
established by the Government of the Russian Federation with regard to the provision of
medical care to foreign citizens.
Article 33. Use of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances in veterinary medicine
1. The list of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances whose use is permitted in
veterinary medicine and for the capture of animals shall be subject to approval by the
federal organ of executive power for public health and the federal organ of executive power
for agriculture.
2. The conditions and regulations for the use of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances
in veterinary medicine shall be established by the Government of the Russian Federation.
Article 34. Use of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances for scientific and teaching purposes
1. The use of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances for scientific and teaching
purposes shall be authorized for corporate bodies holding licences for types of activity
involving the use of specific narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
2. The aforementioned types of activity shall be carried out with due regard for the special
provisions of article 10 of this Federal Act.
Article 35. Use of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances in expert activities
The execution of expert examinations involving the use of narcotic drugs or
psychotropic substances or aimed at their identification shall be authorized
for corporate bodies holding a licence for the aforementioned type of activity.
No licence shall be required for the execution of such examinations in the
expert departments of the Office of the Procurator-General of the Russian
Federation, the federal organ of executive power for internal affairs, the
federal organ of executive power for customs affairs, the federal security
service, or forensic organizations of the federal organ of executive power for
justice.
Article 36. Use of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances in
operational investigatory activities
In the execution of controlled deliveries, undercover purchases, experiments
for operational purposes, the collection of samples for comparative analysis,
infiltration operations, the investigation of individuals and examination of
documents, no licence shall be required for the use of narcotic drugs or
psychotropic substances by organs engaging in operational investigatory
activities.
Article 37. Reporting on activities related to trade in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances
1. Corporate bodies holding licences for types of activity related to trade in narcotic drugs
and psychotropic substances shall be required to submit the following information in the
form, and in accordance with the procedures, established by the Government of the Russian
Federation:
- Quarterly reports on the quantity of each narcotic drug or psychotropic substance
produced, manufactured or imported (exported), indicating the States from which the said
drugs or substances were imported (exported);
- An activity report covering the past calendar year, stating the quantity of plants included
in the Schedule which have been cultivated or processed, the quantity of each narcotic drug
or psychotropic substance produced, manufactured, imported (exported), sold or used, and
the quantity of stocks of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances held as at 31
December of the reporting year.
2. Aggregate data for the year concerning the cultivation of plants and the production,
manufacture, import (export), sale or use of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances
within the limits of the established State quotas shall be submitted in the form, and in
accordance with the procedures, determined by the Government of the Russian Federation
in conformity with the international agreements to which it is party.
Article 38. Inventory of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances
1. Corporate bodies holding licences for types of activity related to trade in narcotic drugs
or psychotropic substances shall be required to carry out a monthly inventory of the
narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances held by them and to draw up a balance of their
commodity stocks and material assets.
2. Information concerning discrepancies in the balance or between the balance and the
results of the inventory performed shall be reported to the internal affairs organs within a
period of three days of their discovery.
Article 39. Registration of operations involving narcotic drugs and
psychotropic substances
In the performance of activities related to trade and narcotic drugs and
psychotropic substances, any operations resulting in a change in their
quantity or condition shall be subject to registration in special registers by
persons required to fulfill that obligation by order of the director of the
corporate body. The aforementioned registers shall be kept for a period of
ten years following the date of the final entry. Procedures for the
maintenance and storage of such registers shall be established by the
Government of the Russian Federation.
Chapter VI.
Prevention of illicit trade in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances
and their precursors
Article 40. Prohibition of the consumption of narcotic drugs and
psychotropic substances without a physician’s prescription
In the Russian Federation the consumption of narcotic drugs and
psychotropic substances without a physician’s prescription shall be
prohibited.
Article 41. Organization of the prevention of illicit trade in narcotic
drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors
1. Prevention of illicit trade in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors
shall be carried out by the Office of the Procurator-General of the Russian Federation, the
federal organ of executive power for internal affairs, the federal organ of executive power
for customs affairs, the federal border service, the federal security service, the federal
foreign intelligence service, the federal organ of executive power for public health and other
federal organs of executive power within the limits of the competence assigned to them by
the Government of the Russian Federation.
2. The coordination of activities relating to the prevention of illicit trade, narcotic
substances and their precursors shall be undertaken by organs specially authorized to fulfill
functions related to trade in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances and to the
prevention of illicit trafficking therein.
3. The organization of activities aimed at preventing illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs,
psychotropic substances and their precursors shall be based on the corresponding special
federal programmes.