Srinagar, Jan 13: Drug and Food Control Organization (DFCO) J&K will intensify its crackdown in Kashmir to monitor the circulation of psychotropic and Habit-Forming Drugs (HFD) to prevent their misuse by pharmacies, officials said.
The move has come a day after the DFCO sealed three medical shops in Karan Nagar, Srinagar for allegedly failing to maintain proper records of psychotropic medicines.
Nighat Shah, Deputy Drugs Controller said they are going to intensify the drives in the valley and those pharma shops that do not follow the prescribed norms would be dealt with strictly.
“Those pharma shops that do not follow the norms and the given terms and conditions their licences would be suspended and action will be taken,” she said.
During the drives, the Deputy Drugs Controller said the department will check everything that comes under their purview like selling of drugs, keeping of records, and selling of Habit-Forming Drugs (HFD).
“In the second week of every month, we conduct drives in the valley. This time we are going to further intensify it. We are going to continue it next week,” she said.
The drive led by the officials of the department would focus on establishments that are involved in the improper handling and documentation of psychotropic drugs.
The department has learned that several medical shops in the valley lack the necessary records to track the distribution and sale of psychotropic medicines.
She added the seized records and inventory will undergo thorough scrutiny to determine the extent of the violations, and legal actions will be taken following relevant regulations.
Officials of the Health and Medical Education Department said the department is working for drug de-addiction and against drug abuse with zero tolerance on unethical practices.
“We are also working against the sale or use of Habit-Forming Drugs and we are taking action also. We are doing regular inspections and we have suspended licenses,” they said.
On Jan 07, 2023, the DFCO had issued guidelines to prevent and stop the illicit use of Habit-Forming Drugs and issued directives to be followed by medical shops.
The department has decided to adopt a zero-tolerance approach to counter the unregulated sale of HFDs in the larger interest of a drug-free society.
“If any trader indulges in wilful omission/breach concerning purchase/sale of HFDs, the drug sale licenses of such dealers shall be canceled,” officials said.
The DFCO has said that the prescription must not be dispensed more than once unless the prescriber has stated thereon that it may be dispensed more than once.
It had then instructed chemists to install HD CCTV and ensure a computerized billing system in their respective establishments, which is not seen at most of the places. “The records of Schedule H, H1 and X drugs shall be preserved by the licensee for two years,” the official added.
