2016: Initiation of HICoE Phase 2 projects in the niche of Behavioral Research in Addiction.

2011: MoU was signed with Friedrich-Alexander Universität of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany for staff & student exchange in research, sharing of expertise, knowledge & information in the area of behavioural research in addiction.

2010: MoU with Pharmaniaga Berhad to provide consultancy service on optimization of analytical & extraction process, & identification of phytocompounds in Kacip Fatimah Project.

2009: Awarded the status of Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE) by the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia.

2008: Involvement in Bionexus Partners Program for biomedical analysis with Malaysian Biotechnology Corporation Sdn Bhd.

2007: Recognized as Bioequivalence Study Centre by the National Pharmaceutical Control Bureau, Ministry of Health Malaysia.

2002: Two programmes i.e. Drug Addiction & Anti-Infectives gained recognition by USM as World Class Research Programmes.

1985: Upgraded to a full-fledged centre at USM and known as Pusat Penyelidikan Dadah dan Ubat-Ubatan (Centre for Drug Research, CDR).

1983: WHO earmarked analytical methods & clinical pharmacology as potential areas to be developed in the field of drug development, resulting in a 5 year grant given to the centre to strengthen its research capacity.

1981: Gained attention & recognition by international bodies including WHO, United Nations Narcotics Commission, formed collaboration with UN Office on drugs & crime.

1978: Formally established as Drug Abuse Research Centre by USM under the Vice Chancellor’s office & designated as national centre to undertake research for developing policies & guidelines for drug abuse programmes (Pusat Penyelidikan Dadah Kebangsaan); research activities were placed under the Cabinet Committee on Drug Abuse Control.

1976: Establishment of a multi-disciplined program comprising neuropsychopharmacology, social & behavioural sciences under the Centre for Policy Research.

1973: On recommendation of World Health Organization (WHO), the Malaysian government instructed Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) to study drug abuse problem