National Competent Authority refers to the principal national authority for ensuring that opioid analgesics are adequately available for medical and scientific purposes and for submitting the required documents to the International Narcotics Control Board. This office, designated by each government that is Party to the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961, is responsible for carrying out the functions required by the international drug control treaties. This office may be located in a country’s pharmaceutical department within the Ministry of Health, or in the national drug control agency.