Tamil Nadu: Cases Filed Against Over 250 Drug Stores For Selling Medicines Without Prescriptions

Medicines listed under schedule H, H1 and X of the Drug and Cosmetics Act and Drugs and Cosmetics Rule could be sold only if a prescription from a registered medical practitioner was provided.

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Chennai: More than 250 drug stores in Tamil Nadu are in trouble for handing out medicines like psychotropic substances, antibiotics and steroids without prescriptions.

According to a report in the Times of India, the number amounts to 50% of the violation cases booked by the directorate of drug control in 2020-21 and some of these drugs were sold when pharmacists were not available in the shops. 

The report said that the medicines that are listed under schedule H, H1 and X of the Drug and Cosmetics Act and Drugs and Cosmetics Rule could be sold only if a prescription from a registered medical practitioner was provided. This apart, some of the drugs like anti-allergy medications fall under Schedule G, that carry labels stating that it would be dangerous to take them without medical supervision, the report added.  

According to the report, about 500 cases were filed against drug stores in the state by the drug inspectors, a total of 252 cases were filed for handing out such medicines in the absence of prescriptions. As many as 42 cases were filed for sales without prescriptions in April and June this year.  

Speaking to Times Of India, a drug controller K Sivabalan said that sales without prescription was one of the most flouted rules and one of the biggest public health hazards as it might cause several problems including drug addiction and resistance.

Explaining that drug inspectors check the drug registers and bills while visiting the shops and the official said that the inspectors visit or call patients to ensure that the bills and registers are not fake, the report said. 

Pointing out that it is mandatory for the pharmacists to be available at the store during the working hours, the report said that as many as 132 cases were filed for violation of this rule in 2020-21 and at least 192 cases were filed against manufacturers for substandard drugs while six cases were filed for producing spurious drugs.