Nagaland’s Kohima DC Cracks Down on Prescription Drug Abuse, Issues Stern Directives to Stem Misuse

Kohima Deputy Commissioner Sectors Crack Down on Misuse of Restricted Medicines

Nagaland’s Kohima Deputy Commissioner B. Henok Buchem has issued a directive to reinforce the implementation of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and its rules, aimed at regulating the sale and misuse of restricted medicines. The order comes in continuation of a previous notification dated April 19, 2023, aimed at tightening control over the sale of Schedule ‘X’, ‘H’, and ‘H1’ drugs across all pharmacies and medical stores in Kohima district.

The directive outlines strict measures to curb the sale of these restricted drugs without a valid prescription from a registered medical practitioner. Pharmacies and medical establishments are now required to maintain a register documenting all sales of Schedule ‘X’, ‘H’, and ‘H1’ drugs, including details of the prescriber, patient, drug, and quantity sold. These records must be preserved for a minimum period of three years and shall be available for inspection by the District Drug Controller Authority and the District Enforcement Force, Kohima.

In another move to clamp down on drug misuse, the administration has announced that it will inspect the CCTV footage of pharmacies and medical establishments for the last two months. This step is aimed at ensuring compliance with the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) Joint Action Plan. Non-compliance with these directives will attract strict penal action under Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNSS), Section 28A of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and other relevant laws.

The Kohima Deputy Commissioner has urged all pharmacies and medical establishments to strictly follow the directives to curb drug misuse and uphold public health safety. This move comes as part of the administration’s efforts to address the growing concern over drug abuse in the district and ensure that pharmacies and medical establishments operate within the bounds of the law.

The strict measures outlined in the directive aim to ensure that restricted drugs are only sold in accordance with medical prescriptions and in the quantities specified. The administration has warned that any non-compliance with the directives will result in severe penalties, underscoring the importance of adherence to the regulations.

Original Source: https://www.indiatodayne.in/nagaland/story/nagaland-kohima-dc-issues-directives-curbing-misuse-of-prescription-drugs-1193887-2025-04-04?utm_source=rssfeed
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Publish Date: 2025-04-04 11:49:00