In a significant move, the Andhra Pradesh Drugs Control Administration (APDCA) has simplified procedures of the transport permit required for the movement of opioid drugs.

The move is expected to highly benefit lakhs of cancer patients in the state who were finding it difficult in getting opioid drugs mainly due to the rigid transport procedures. The department’s move follows the recommendations of an internal committee headed by director of the department, which was earlier constituted to look into the matter. The committee had also recommended increasing of the license period from the present one year to two years.

“We have simplified the transport permit of the opioid drugs which are required for post surgery treatment and the authority to issue transport permit has been decentralized to the assistant directors at the district level. At present it requires one month’s time in getting the transport permit but with the simplification of the procedures applicants will get it in 10 days’ time. We have taken the decision in the interest of the patients,” R P Meena IPS, director general, Drugs and Copyright, Andhra Pradesh Drugs Control Administration, said.

It has simplified transport permit not only for the intra state transporting but for inter state also. Andhra Pradesh has over 2.55 lakh cancer patients and the department’s move will 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 the management of pain during the late stage of cancer. However, accessibility to such medicines is not easy due to the rigid rules.

Meena said that the department had sent a proposal to amend the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and to empower directors of the drugs department on par with the narcotic drugs directors.