Licences of 138 medical shops suspended across Telangana over illegal sale of habit-forming drugs

The Telangana Standards Authority for Food and Essential Drugs (TG SAFE) has suspended the licences of 138 medical shops across the State for violating regulations governing the sale of habit-forming drugs.

The action follows a special enforcement drive conducted on October 15 by the Drugs Wing of TG SAFE, in coordination with Enforcement Wing police personnel, at medical shops in vulnerable areas across the State to curb the illegal sale and diversion of habit-forming drugs.

The suspension orders have been issued against 138 establishments. Of these, 98 medical shops have been suspended until further orders, while 40 have been suspended for a specified period. Warnings have also been issued to two other establishments, taking the total number of enforcement actions to 140.

The establishments were found violating provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and the rules governing the sale of habit-forming drugs.

TG SAFE has cautioned chemists and druggists against selling habit-forming medicines, including psychotropic and Schedule H and H1 drugs, without valid prescriptions issued by registered medical practitioners. Such medicines must also not be dispensed in the absence of a Registered Pharmacist, it said.