The Andhra Pradesh Drugs Control Administration (APDCA) is expected to simplify the rigid licensing procedures and transport permit required for the transporting of opioid drugs, which are being used for the management of chronic pains, it is learnt.

According to reliable sources, the department had recently constituted an internal committee in order to examine the issue with director of the department as chairman. The committee was comprised of senior officials of the ranks of joint directors and assistant directors. It was constituted on the basis of a request received by the department. The committee submitted its report to the director general, drugs and copyright, APDCA a few days before. The proposals include decentralization of authority to issue licenses at the district level and increase the license period from the current one year.

Sources said that the director general may take a decision on the report or submit it to the government for its consideration. The report has also suggested simplifying of the transport permit for the movement of opioid drugs with in the state. If the proposals are approved, it is expected to facilitate the movement of opioid drugs and make it easily available at the grass root level.

There are over 2.55 lakh cancer patients in Andhra Pradesh and the department’s move is expected to benefit them. 140-150 pharmacy stores in the state have the license under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) to sell opioid pain management drugs. Under the rigid NDPS Act even medical institutions and doctors require licenses to stock the opioid drugs. Morphine and pethidine, two opioid drugs, are very effective in managing pain during the late stage of cancer. However, presently accessibility to such medicines is not easy due to the rigid rules.