Karnataka drugs control department has tracked down at least 100 out of the 450 chemists and druggists selling psychotropic drugs without a prescription in several districts of the state.

The department carried out a special drive from July 6-8, 2012 to verify if the pharmacy outlets were adhering to Schedule H of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act (D&C) which calls to  dispense drugs only with a valid prescription. The inspection was carried out by officials as a part of the department's surprise audit.

Psychotropic drugs are sedatives, tranquilizers, steroids, hormonal preparatory medicines and stimulants. While these drugs are prescribed for specific conditions,  its consumption needs to be with considerable caution. The drugs include Diazepam, Alprazolam, Zolopidem, Chlordiazepoxide, Oxazepam to name a few.

While these psychotropic drugs are part of the  Schedule H category of the D&C Act, they are also covered under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act 1988 which call for a set of stringent sale rules to be adhered to by the chemists and druggists.

There is a rampant rise of over- the- counter (OTC) sale of psychotropic drugs  driven by a demand from the young population  which now needs to be closely monitored. “We will now need to issue notices to these chemists found violating Schedule H. The sale of psychotropic drugs without a prescription increases the vulnerability to habit forming practices which is a serious issue in the country. There is need to curb this practice and see that the law is enforced. Now we would conduct similar inspection  every three months, just like the drug sampling drive involving non-governmental organizations’ and the public. This will help create an environment of vigilance when it comes to selling drugs under Schedule H without prescription,” Dr BR Jagashetty, drugs controller, government of Karnataka told Pharmabiz.

Surprise checks are mandated to ensure that pharmacy outlets are careful during the sale of drugs. Currently, the department has only 51 inspectors and it undertook this drive despite the shortfall in the inspectorate team, he said.

“While the D&C Act has formulated measures to control sale of psychotropic drugs, there is also the NDPS Act 1985, tightening the grip on the distribution of these products. In the wake of an increasing drug abuse and addiction among the population, the NDPS Act mandates maintaining  a register by the pharmacy trade outlets where all details like name of psychotropic drug along with the patient and doctors details with their addresses are recorded when such products are sold. Therefore it is vital that the drugs control departments across the country carry out inspections to ensure violations of D&C and NDPS Act are at bay,” stated DA Gundu Rao, president, Karnataka State Pharmacy Council.