Srinagar- Taking strong note of unlawful sale and misuse of H and H1 sedatives in the Valley, the Department of Drug and Food Control J&K has issued an order asking all the chemists not to sell psychotropic drugs without valid prescription from qualified doctors.
The department has also asked the chemists to install CCTV cameras in their establishments and keep a tab on the sale of psychotropic drugs, especially minors.
The decision, official sources said, was taken as part of the ongoing drive against illegal sale and misuse of psychotropic drugs in the Valley, including Srinagar.
The authorities have asked all medical shop owners (chemists) not to sell medicines or syringes to children without a valid prescription from qualified doctors. Officials said the decision to install CCTV cameras is aimed at nabbing the chemist indulging in the illegal activity.
Confirming the development, State Drug Controller, Dr Lotika Khajuria told Kashmir Observer that the move is aimed at containing rampant drug abuse in the Union Territory.
She said those found violating the order will be dealt with seriously as the administration is very serious towards the alarming rise of drug abuse among youngsters.
“Those who haven’t yet installed CCTV cameras are once again requested to comply with the directions or else their license will be canceled forthwith. We have extended the time of installing CCTV cameras by three more months,” she added.
Besides installing good quality CCTV cameras; Khajuria the chemists have been directed to keep a tab on sale of psychotropic drugs
“The department will later retrieve the data to ascertain whether the drugs have been sold in accordance with the directions issued by the department.
Dr Fazal-e-Rob, senior resident, Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (IMHANS) Srinagar said the H1 drug abuse has increased manifold among heroin users and that the drug overdose at times leads to their death.
Dr Fazal said the most commonly abused substance among them was cannabis, followed by morphine. He said besides snorting and smoking heroin, those who are into substance abuse, take H1 sedatives containing diphenhydramine, hydroxyzine, cyproheptadine, and promethazine.
“Schedule H1 includes 39 generic drugs like alprazolam, cefixime, cefotaxime, cefpodoxime, ceftibuten, ceftizoxime and codeine. Their use has increased manifold in Kashmir over the years and that’s what prompted the administration to direct pharmacists to install CCTV cameras in their shops,” Dr Fazal told Kashmir Observer.
“This way the authorities will be able to curb the rampant abuse of drugs as the easy availability of medicinal drugs used as substitutes to heroin has deteriorated the situation to the alarming level,” he added.
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