In the wake of the recent crisis over the stocking and distribution of psychotropic drugs under the NDPS In Rules, the All India Organisation of Chemists & Druggists (AIOCD) has urged the Union finance ministry to defuse the crisis at the earliest.

In a letter addressed to S.S. Palanimanikkam, the minister of state (Revenue), the AIOCD has pointed out various difficulties and problems relating to stocking and distribution of Psychotropic Drugs under the NDPS Rules and has made practical suggestions as to how these difficulties/problems can be overcome so that the said Psychotropic Drugs are easily available to suffering patients as required by their doctors' advice and unnecessary work and harassment of the chemist trade is avoided.

Endorsing the views of AIOCD, the Indian Drug Manufacturers Association (IDMA) added that the suggestions made by AIOCD, if carried out, would not only minimize the difficulties of the chemist trade, but also would serve the public policy of essential drugs being available to the suffering people, when required, and controlling their usage for genuine purposes.