The Central Government is planning to expand the list of psychotropic substances that can be allowed to be manufactured for exclusive export purposes. The new list would contain 34 items mostly shifted from the Schedule I of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Rules (NDPS), 1985 (list of substances prohibited for both import and export in the country). The changes, once effective, would enable pharmaceutical industry to manufacture these drugs for export purposes.

The government has also proposed amendment to the NDPS Rules to include a provision enabling patients to possess psychotropic substances in excess of hundred dosage units at a time if specifically prescribed by a Registered Medical Practitioner. Changes are also proposed to enable the Chief Controller of Factories to supply samples of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances to testing laboratories, drug law enforcement agencies and training institutions

According to a draft notification issued by the Ministry of Finance, the psychotropic substances that are to be allowed for export manufacturing purposes are Amfepramone, Aminorex, Benzfetamine, Bromazepam, Brotizolam, Camazepam, Clorazepate, Clotiazepam Cloxazolam, Delorazepam, Estazolam, Ethinamate, Ethylloflazepate, Fludiazepam, Flunitrazepam, Haloxazolam, Ketazolam, Lefetamine, Loprazolam, Lormetazepam, Mazindol, Medazepam, Mesocarb, Methyprylon, Nimetazepam, Oxazolam, Phendimetrazine, Phentermine, Pinazepam, Pipradrol, Prazepam, Temazepam, Tetrazepam, Zipeprol and salts and preparation of the above.