Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine approves quotas for narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances for 2026

The Government has adopted a resolution approving quotas for 2026 for the production, manufacture, storage, import, and export of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, as well as for the cultivation of plants containing such substances. The decision was made in accordance with Article 14 of the Law of Ukraine “On Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and Precursors,” which establishes the annual determination of maximum quantities of controlled substances as a state measure to control their legal circulation.

The approved quotas are intended to meet the needs of medicine, pharmaceutical production, science, and education, prevent the leakage of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances into illegal circulation, and fulfill Ukraine's international obligations under the 1961, 1971, and 1988 UN Conventions. The approval of quotas is due not only to regulatory requirements, but also to the martial law and the increase in the number of patients who need drugs with controlled substances, in particular, soldiers with severe injuries.

For the first time, quotas have been set for substances based on medical cannabis. This refers to imports for use in scientific and scientific-technical activities, imports for the production (manufacture) of medicines and finished medicines included in the State Drug Register.

When calculating quotas, applications from licensed businesses, their production capabilities, and risks related to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) were taken into account. Six medical cannabis-based substances are currently registered in Ukraine, with another 18 in the process of registration. The traceability of medical cannabis circulation is ensured through a unified accounting, registration, and control system that tracks all stages—from cultivation and production to sale to patients for medical reasons.

Quotas for methadone are set taking into account the needs of the substitution maintenance therapy program. As of November 2025, some 29,112 patients were receiving treatment.

Codeine quotas are determined based on domestic needs, exports, and potential growth in demand. Combined medicinal products containing small amounts of codeine and not subject to quotas are not included in the tables.