The WHO Expert Committee on Drug Dependence met in Geneva from 28 to 31 March 2006. Dr Howard Zucker, Assistant Director-General, Health Technology and Pharmaceuticals, and Dr Hans Hogerzeil, Director of Medicines Policy and Standards, welcomed the participants. Dr Zucker stressed the importance of balancing the need for preventing diversion of therapeutic substances with abuse potential by means of appropriate controls against the need for ensuring access to these substances for therapeutic use. The data from the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) show that in many countries there is underuse of the narcotic analgesics needed for patients.