SUCHISMITA SAHU, OP
Bhubaneswar: The state Directorate of Drugs Control has launched a statewide special drive to curb the unrestricted sale and misuse of drugs and medicines used as intoxicants.
The drive, being conducted under the Health and Family Welfare department with police assistance, will continue from October 1 to 15.
Assistant Drugs Controllers and Drugs Inspectors are conducting raids at wholesale and retail medicine establishments across the state.
The officials are particularly checking whether the sale of psychotropic medicines such as alprazolam, nitrazepam, pentazocine and tramadol is being carried out in accordance with regulations.
They are also verifying whether such medicines are being sold without valid prescriptions.
So far, raids have been conducted at 220 establishments, with administrative proceedings initiated against 137 for alleged violations of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and the relevant rules.
Separate cases were registered against those responsible for operating unlicensed establishments in Puri, Nuapada and Debagada districts.
During raids in Kendra pada district, offi cials seized 1,100 ampoules of pentazocine injections along with various medicines and medical devices.
The seized materials were estimated to be worth Rs 9.70 lakh.
Similarly, medicines worth around Rs 1.92 lakh were seized from unlicensed establishments in the Astharanga police station area of Puri district, the Jonk police station area of Nuapada district and various places in De bagada district.
Cases have also been registered against the persons found responsible