Telangana: The Drugs Control Administration, Telangana, has issued an advisory to all retail and wholesale medical shops as well as general public, following concerns over the indiscriminate sale of prescription medicines, including habit-forming drugs, within the state.
The DCA has expressed alarm over the indiscriminate sale of prescription medications, which is putting public health at significant risk.
In view of the health risks associated with unsupervised use, certain medicines are
classified under Schedule H of the Drugs Rules. Additionally, due to their high potential for
abuse and dependence, habit-forming drugs are classified under Schedule H1 and Schedule X of
the Drugs Rules. Medicines included under these schedules are subject to stringent regulatory
controls and can be sold only by licensed retail pharmacies against a valid prescription issued by
a Registered Medical Practitioner. Maintenance of the prescribed records and registers for such
drugs is mandatorily required under the Drugs Rules.
The abuse of habit-forming drugs and other prescription medicines, such as
Mephentermine injections and Atracurium Besylate injections, can lead to severe health
consequences. Continued misuse or overdose may result in respiratory depression, coma, and, in
extreme cases, death.
The administration has reminded and reiterated to all licensees that Schedule H, Schedule H1, and
Schedule X drugs shall mandatorily be sold only against a valid prescription issued by a
Registered Medical Practitioner.
Any illegal sale, diversion, or distribution of such prescription medicines for nontherapeutic or abusive purposes constitutes a serious violation of the provisions of the Drugs and
Cosmetics Act, 1940 and the Rules thereunder, and shall be dealt with strictly. DCA, Telangana shall initiate stringent actions, including cancellation of drug licences and prosecution under the relevant provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, Telangana DCA stated.
The DCA has advised all medical shops to exercise utmost vigilance in dispensing such
medicines and to maintain proper prescription records as mandated under the Rules.
The strict compliance of all stakeholders is mandatorily required to ensure that these
prescription medicines are not diverted for misuse and that public health and safety are
effectively safeguarded.
Registered Medical Practitioner, as self-medication or misuse can have fatal consequences
on health. The public is also urged to report any instances of illegal sale or misuse of
prescription medicines to the Drugs Control Administration.