Health Ministry begins aligning drug laws with EU standards
A working group has been formed and the European Commission approved TAIEX expert support; full list alignment planned for 2027.
The Ministry of Health has launched a process to align North Macedonia's drug-control legislation with European Union standards, the minister Sasho Klekovski announced. Authorities say the move combines legal changes with institutional strengthening and international expert support.
A working group has been set up to revise the Law on Control of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances. Officials are also preparing a working arrangement with the EU agency for drugs, and the European Commission has approved expert support under the TAIEX programme.
Planned reforms and timetable
The reform package foresees bolstering the National Drug Observatory and establishing an early-warning system to detect new psychoactive substances. These measures are intended to improve monitoring and speed up regulatory responses to emerging substances.
In a next phase scheduled for 2027, authorities plan to align the national list of psychoactive substances with EU standards and to introduce a statutory definition for new psychoactive substances. Officials say those steps will close legal gaps and ensure compatibility with European practice.
Ministry spokespeople emphasise that the process will combine legislative drafting with technical cooperation, training and data exchange with EU partners. The working group and international experts are expected to draft amendments and prepare the necessary implementing instruments ahead of the 2027 changes.
Photo: press material from the event
