Despite amendments to the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act in 2014, intended to streamline the medical use of oral morphine for severe pain management, the oral solution form of this essential opioid remains exclusively accessible at the State-run Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology (KMIO) in Karnataka. This centralization of supply results in approximately 700 patients traveling to the institute monthly from various parts of the state for palliative and cancer care.
While morphine is available in tablet and injection forms at some private hospitals and specialized palliative care centers, healthcare professionals and advocates have voiced concerns about insufficient ground-level implementation of the Act’s reforms. Karnataka established a Palliative Care Policy (2015-2016) and a Palliative Care Cell at Kidwai (2017). A proposal has been submitted to strengthen this cell, aiming to enhance statewide access to pain relief.
Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/with-oral-morphine-solution-inaccessible-in-districts-hundreds-come-to-kidwai-every-month/article70152575.ece