DFCO issues guidelines to stop illicit use of habit-forming drugs

Srinagar, Feb 08: The Drug and Food Control Organization (DFCO) has issued guidelines to prevent and stop illicit use of Habit-Forming Drugs (HFD) and issued directives to be followed by medical shops.
“In order to stop illicit use of Habit-Forming Drugs like Alprazolam, Tramadol, Codeine, Pentazocin Inj., Ketamine inj., Nitrazepam, branded generic or branded form, single ingredient or Fixed Dose Combinations, the pharma trade fraternity is impressed upon to follow a checklist,” read a notice issued by DFCO.
It has been stated that the prescription must not be dispensed more than once unless the prescriber has stated thereon that it may be dispensed more than once.
“Name and quantity of medicine supplied, name, address of prescription date and name and address of prescriber be clearly mentioned on the prescription,” it said.
The notice said that all records and registers shall be maintained as per mandate of the Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940 & Rules thereunder adding that such records should be made available for inspection.
It said that chemists should install HD CCTV and ensure computerized billing system in their respective establishments. “The records of Schedule H, H1 and X drugs shall be preserved by the licensee for a period of two years,” it said.
The guidelines asked drug shops to not to dispense medication if the prescription is incomplete, has alteration(s) or does not bear signature of the prescriber. They have also been directed not to dispense psychtropic drugs to minors.
“Don’t dispense a prescription when you have reason to believe that prescription is not issued by a valid prescriber and don’t disclose the personal information of the end user/prescriber,” the notice said.
It said the department has decided to adopt a zero-tolerance approach to counter the unregulated sale of habit-forming drugs in the larger interest of a drug-free society.
“In case any pharma trader indulges in willful omission/breach with respect to purchase/sale of habit forming drugs, the drug sale licenses of such dealers shall be canceled,” it added.