Introduction: The manufacture, sale and export of opium is a critical topic for B. Pharm students studying pharmaceutical law, narcotics control and quality assurance. This unit covers opium poppy cultivation, extraction of opium alkaloids (morphine, codeine, thebaine), regulatory frameworks (NDPS Act, Single Convention), licensing, record‑keeping, analytical methods (TLC, HPLC, GC‑MS), secure storage, transit and export permits, and international controls. Understanding quotas, poppy straw processing, safety, disposal and penalties prepares pharmacy graduates for compliance, industrial production and ethical practice. Emphasis on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and controlled‑substance management is essential for pharmaceutical careers. Now let’s test your knowledge with 30 MCQs on this topic.
Q1. Which Indian law primarily regulates the manufacture, sale and export of opium?
- Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985
- Drug and Cosmetic Act, 1940
- Dangerous Drugs Act, 1930
- Medicinal Plants Act, 1976
Correct Answer: Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985
Q2. Which international treaty provides the main framework for global control of opium cultivation and trade?
- Convention on Psychotropic Substances, 1971
- Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961
- UN Convention Against Illicit Traffic, 1988
- Basel Convention, 1989
Correct Answer: Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961
Q3. What is the principal analgesic alkaloid obtained from opium?
- Codeine
- Thebaine
- Morphine
- Papaverine
Correct Answer: Morphine
Q4. Which plant species is the primary source of licit opium for pharmaceutical use?
- Atropa belladonna
- Papaver somniferum
- Rauwolfia serpentina
- Hyoscyamus niger
Correct Answer: Papaver somniferum
Q5. Which extraction principle is commonly used in recovering morphine from raw opium in industrial processing?
- Direct steam distillation
- Alkaline extraction followed by acidification
- Supercritical CO2 extraction without pH adjustment
- Cold-press extraction of latex
Correct Answer: Alkaline extraction followed by acidification
Q6. Which Indian authority is primarily responsible for licensing and controlling opium cultivation and trade?
- Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO)
- Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN)
- Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB)
- Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Correct Answer: Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN)
Q7. What is the key difference between opium gum and poppy straw?
- Opium gum is synthetic; poppy straw is natural
- Opium gum is dried latex from incisions; poppy straw is dried plant material (stems, pods)
- Poppy straw contains no alkaloids; opium gum contains alkaloids
- Opium gum is used only for export; poppy straw is for domestic use
Correct Answer: Opium gum is dried latex from incisions; poppy straw is dried plant material (stems, pods)
Q8. Which analytical method is most widely used for accurate quantification of morphine in pharmaceutical samples?
- Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC)
- High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)
- Colorimetric spot test
- Paper chromatography
Correct Answer: High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)
Q9. Which international body monitors treaty compliance and estimates requirements for narcotic drugs like opium?
- World Health Organization (WHO)
- International Narcotics Control Board (INCB)
- UNICEF
- World Trade Organization (WTO)
Correct Answer: International Narcotics Control Board (INCB)
Q10. Which storage condition is required for licit opium and its alkaloid stocks in a manufacturing facility?
- Open shelving in the production area
- Secure, locked storage under licence with controlled access
- Stored with common excipients without restriction
- Room temperature storage with no documentation
Correct Answer: Secure, locked storage under licence with controlled access
Q11. What document is essential for legal movement of opium consignments between licensed units?
- Purchase order only
- Transit permit or movement permit issued by the licensing authority
- Invoice without licence details
- Certificate of analysis alone
Correct Answer: Transit permit or movement permit issued by the licensing authority
Q12. What is the regulatory status of opium-based preparations for dispensing to patients?
- Over-the-counter (OTC) without restrictions
- Prescription-only with strict documentation
- Available only as traditional medicine without control
- Completely banned for any medicinal use
Correct Answer: Prescription-only with strict documentation
Q13. Which opium alkaloid is commonly used as an antitussive in low doses?
- Morphine
- Codeine
- Noscapine
- Papaverine
Correct Answer: Codeine
Q14. Which opium alkaloid is the major precursor for semi-synthetic opioids like oxycodone?
- Codeine
- Thebaine
- Papaverine
- Noscapine
Correct Answer: Thebaine
Q15. For rapid screening and identification of opium alkaloids in the lab, which technique is commonly used?
- Infrared spectroscopy (IR)
- Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC)
- Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR)
- Elemental analysis
Correct Answer: Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC)
Q16. What essential documentation must every licensed opium manufacturer maintain?
- Daily production and stock register with reconciliation
- Only yearly summary sales report
- No records are required under licence
- Informal notes kept by supervisors
Correct Answer: Daily production and stock register with reconciliation
Q17. What is a typical legal consequence for unauthorized manufacture or trafficking of opium under NDPS-type laws?
- Civil warning only
- Imprisonment and fines
- Mandatory community service without fines
- License suspension for 24 hours
Correct Answer: Imprisonment and fines
Q18. How is licit opium cultivation controlled at the national level?
- By free cultivation with voluntary reporting
- By a government quota system limited to medical and scientific needs
- By allowing only private farms with no oversight
- By international NGOs managing farms directly
Correct Answer: By a government quota system limited to medical and scientific needs
Q19. What is the recommended approved method for disposal of pharmaceutical waste containing opiate residues?
- Dilution and disposal into municipal drains
- Incineration at approved facilities with documentation
- Burial on-site without record
- Release into effluent treatment plants without control
Correct Answer: Incineration at approved facilities with documentation
Q20. What is meant by “denatured opium” in regulatory practice?
- Opium blended with other legal narcotics to increase potency
- Opium treated with additives to render it unsuitable for medical use
- Opium that has been purified to pharmaceutical standards
- Opium mixed with water for dilution
Correct Answer: Opium treated with additives to render it unsuitable for medical use
Q21. What is an industrial advantage of using poppy straw over traditional opium gum?
- Higher alkaloid concentration per gram
- Enables mechanized harvesting and large‑scale extraction
- Requires manual incisions for latex flow
- Lower regulatory requirements
Correct Answer: Enables mechanized harvesting and large‑scale extraction
Q22. Which government ministry in India oversees the Central Bureau of Narcotics?
- Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
- Ministry of Finance (Department of Revenue)
- Ministry of Home Affairs
- Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare
Correct Answer: Ministry of Finance (Department of Revenue)
Q23. What is a typical reported range for morphine content in raw opium by weight?
- 1–3%
- 5–7%
- 8–20%
- 30–50%
Correct Answer: 8–20%
Q24. What information must appear on labels of licit opium consignments to ensure compliance?
- Only the company logo and net weight
- Controlled substance designation, schedule, batch number and handling instructions
- Ingredients listed without regulatory statements
- No label is required for licensed shipments
Correct Answer: Controlled substance designation, schedule, batch number and handling instructions
Q25. Under what circumstances may opium be exported from a licit-producing country?
- For any commercial purpose without documentation
- Only under licence and export permit for legitimate medical or scientific use
- Only to non-signatory countries of international treaties
- After simple notification to local authorities
Correct Answer: Only under licence and export permit for legitimate medical or scientific use
Q26. Which confirmatory analytical technique is preferred for detailed alkaloid profiling and identification?
- Ultraviolet spectrophotometry alone
- Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC‑MS)
- Simple color test
- Gravimetric analysis
Correct Answer: Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC‑MS)
Q27. Which Indian enforcement agency is primarily involved in investigating drug trafficking and illicit diversion?
- Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN)
- Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB)
- Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)
- Pharmaceutical Export Promotion Council
Correct Answer: Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB)
Q28. How is “poppy straw” defined in pharmaceutical processing terms?
- Fresh latex collected from poppy incisions
- Dried and cut opium pods, stems and plant material after seed collection
- Only poppy seeds used for culinary purposes
- A synthetic substitute for opium
Correct Answer: Dried and cut opium pods, stems and plant material after seed collection
Q29. Which opium alkaloid is primarily used as an antispasmodic agent?
- Morphine
- Papaverine
- Codeine
- Thebaine
Correct Answer: Papaverine
Q30. Which international agency plays a major role in combating drug trafficking and supporting countries in drug control?
- World Health Organization (WHO)
- United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
- International Monetary Fund (IMF)
- World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)
Correct Answer: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
I am a Registered Pharmacist under the Pharmacy Act, 1948, and the founder of PharmacyFreak.com. I hold a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from Rungta College of Pharmaceutical Science and Research. With a strong academic foundation and practical knowledge, I am committed to providing accurate, easy-to-understand content to support pharmacy students and professionals. My aim is to make complex pharmaceutical concepts accessible and useful for real-world application.
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