Sale of prescription drugs without prescription: Govt orders curb after IPA nudge

Bhubaneswar: The state government has asked the drugs controller to curb the practice of dispensing prescription medicines without a prescription. The dictum came after Indian Pharmaceutical Association (IPA) suggested strong action against the illegal practice.
Health and Family Welfare secretary, Pramod Kumar Meherda, Saturday wrote a letter to the drugs controller, a copy of which is available with OrissaPOST.
In his letter, Meherda said IPA general secretary has drawn attention of the government regarding easy availability of ‘prescription only medicines’ in the state without valid prescriptions which may be detrimental to the patients’ health.
Meherda also enclosed a detailed note on the subject under the heading ‘The Serious Problem of Availability of Prescription Medicines without a Prescription in India & Possible Solutions’ as received from IPA, Mumbai, for the general secretary’s reference.
“You are instructed to issue stern warnings to all pharmacies, medicine stores, chemists and druggists to strictly adhere to the relevant provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act & Rules and allow sale of ‘prescription only medicines’ against a valid prescription only,” Meherda further wrote.
He also asked the drugs controller to form district-level squads under state drugs control administration to ensure strict monitoring of proper sale of ‘prescription only medicines’ in the state.
The controller was further asked to take appropriate punitive actions as per prevalent laws and rules against the erring pharmacies, medicine stores, chemists and druggists.
“Keeping in view the above, you are impressed upon to start a statewide drive to sensitise people about the dangers associated with taking prescription drugs without a valid prescription,” he added.
The health secretary also directed the drugs controller to submit a status report within a month.