To check the growing sale of over-the-counter drugs, the drugs control administration is planning to intensify inspections of pharmacies to unearth increased sale of addictive or habit forming drugs in the state.

For this purpose the APDCA is also planning to recruit 50 more drug inspectors in the coming next one month to intensify the special check drive in the state.

The drug control authorities (DCA) in the state are of the view that with the growing work pressure among employees and academic pressure among students, many people in the state especially students have become habitual users of certain pain killers and sleeping tablets which are being sold by the pharmacies directly without any formal prescription by the doctors. Although the anti-depressant and painkiller drugs may give temporary relief to the users, making it a habit without proper consultation with the doctor will have long term repercussions and may lead to psychiatric disorders.

The DCA believes unprescribed drugs can act on the central nervous system and do much harm in the long run. The DCA wants to ensure they are sold strictly under prescription for the purpose intended.

Doctors and health specialists say that it is dangerous to use even a prescribed drug for a long-term without going for regular follow-up consultations to the doctor. For example certain hypertension drugs have to be supplemented with anxiolytic drugs, which work as sedatives to calm the nerves.

“More than 95 per cent of drugs sold are supposed to be prescription drugs under schedule H. However, it’s a perennial problem that OTC drugs are still sold in pharmacies. While strict laws banning over-the-counter sale of drugs is awaited, we are focusing on to contain sale of all unprescribed habit-forming and psychiatric drugs,” said a senior DCA Official.

In view of this, the drug control department is also planning to increase its work force in the state. To have an effective vigilance the department is about to add 50 more drug inspectors in one month.