Telangana: 138 medical shops lose licences over habit-forming drug violations
The Telangana Standards Authority for Food and Essential Drugs suspended 138 establishments following a special enforcement drive on October 15.
The Telangana Standards Authority for Food and Essential Drugs (TG SAFE) suspended the licences of 138 medical shops across the state for violating rules regarding the sale of habit-forming drugs, according to The Hindu.
The enforcement action followed a special drive on October 15 conducted by the TG SAFE Drugs Wing and Enforcement Wing police personnel in vulnerable areas to prevent the illegal sale and diversion of such substances.
Of the 138 establishments facing suspension, 98 shops must remain closed until further orders, while 40 have been suspended for a specific period. Two additional establishments received warnings, bringing the total number of enforcement actions to 140.
The inspections identified violations of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and rules governing the sale of habit-forming medicines.
TG SAFE cautioned chemists and druggists that psychotropic, Schedule H, and H1 drugs must not be sold without valid prescriptions from registered medical practitioners. The authority also stated that these medicines cannot be dispensed without a registered pharmacist present.
Medical shops are required to maintain prescribed records of stocks, sales, and purchases. TG SAFE warned that further violations could lead to prosecution or the cancellation of licences.